This article is a comprehensive guide on how to set up a mirror of Wikipedia.org using three different approaches. Each method varies in complexity and resources required, allowing you to choose what best fits your needs.
Introduction
Wikipedia.org runs on a traditional LAMP stack on around 350 servers. Due to DDoS attacks and content censorship, having access to a mirror is crucial. Fortunately, Wikipedia provides regular database dumps and HTML archives that can be freely rehosted. This guide aims to help you create your own Wikipedia mirror and promote free access to information.
Quickstart
A complete English Wikipedia.org clone can be set up in just three steps:
- Download the Kiwix-Serve static binary from Kiwix.
- Download a compressed Wikipedia dump from Wikimedia Dumps.
- Start the Kiwix server and visit http://127.0.0.1:8888.
# 1. Download the Kiwix-Serve static binary
wget https://download.kiwix.org/release/kiwix-tools/kiwix-tools_linux-x86_64.tar.gz
tar -xzf kiwix-tools_linux-x86_64-3.0.1.tar.gz
cd kiwix-tools_linux-x86_64-3.0.1
# 2. Download a compressed Wikipedia dump
wget --continue https://download.kiwix.org/zim/wikipedia_en_all_maxi.zim
# 3. Start the Kiwix server
kiwix-serve --verbose --port 8888 $PWD/wikipedia_en_all_maxi_2018-10.zim
Getting Started
Wikipedia’s infrastructure relies on various technologies including MediaWiki, MariaDB, and caching systems. You will find three main options for hosting your Wikipedia mirror:
- Caching Proxy: The easiest option, requires minimal setup, but can lead to 404 errors if upstream servers are down.
- Static ZIM Archive: Easy to serve but lacks interactivity features.
- Full MediaWiki Server: The most complex and resource-intensive option.
It is advisable for beginners to start with the static HTML archive or caching proxy for a smoother experience.
Troubleshooting
Setting up a Wikipedia mirror may involve several challenges. Here are some common issues and solutions:
- Issues accessing the mirror: Ensure your server is running and listening on the correct port. Check firewall settings as they can block incoming traffic.
- 404 errors: This can happen if the requested page has not been cached yet when using the caching proxy method.
- Slow performance: Consider using a CDN for caching or upgrading the server to enhance processing power.
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Conclusion
By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can effectively set up your own Wikipedia mirror. Remember the importance of responsible rehosting practices, ensuring that your mirror does not harm the Wikimedia servers. It may take some time to get the mirror to look and function as desired, but persistence pays off!
At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.