Opensolr Basic User Guide with Integrations

Overview

Opensolr provides a fully managed Apache Solr hosting service that allows you to create and manage search indexes, connect external websites (Drupal, WordPress, or custom-built), and use Solr Search APIs easily without managing your own servers.

1. Getting Started

Create an Account

1. Go to https://opensolr.com.
2. Click Sign Up and create your account.
3. Confirm your email and log in to the Opensolr Control Panel.

Access the Control Panel

• After logging in, you’ll be directed to the Dashboard.
• Here, you can manage Solr indexes, configurations, API keys, and user access.

2. Creating a Solr index

1. In your dashboard, click New index.
2. Choose the Solr version that matches your application (e.g., 8.x or 9.x).
3. Give your index a name (e.g., drupal_search, wordpress_search, or custom_site).
4. Click Create.
5. Wait a few seconds for the index to initialize. Once ready, you’ll see connection details like:
   • Solr Core URL
   • Hostname and Port
   • index name
   • Authentication credentials (if enabled)

3. Connecting Drupal to Opensolr

Install Required Modules

1. In your Drupal admin panel, install:
   • Search API
   • Search API Solr Search API Opensolr
2. Enable both modules.

Configure the Search Server

1. Go to Configuration → Search and Metadata → Search API.
2. Click Add Server.
3. Fill in the following:
   • Name: Opensolr Search
   • Backend: Solr
   • Solr Host: Provided by Opensolr (e.g., server-name.opensolr.com)
4. Save the server and test the connection — it should say “The Solr server could be reached successfully.”

Add an Index

1. Under Search API, click Add Index.
2. Choose your content types (e.g., Articles, Pages).
3. Assign your newly created Opensolr server to the index.
4. Save and index your content.

Your Drupal site is now powered by Opensolr.

4. Connecting WordPress to Opensolr

Install a Plugin

1. From the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Search for “Search with Solr” or “WPSOLR”.
3. Install and activate the plugin.

Configure Plugin Settings

1. Navigate to Settings → Solr Search.
2. Fill in your Opensolr connection details:
   • Solr Host: e.g., https://yourdomain.opensolr.com/solr/wordpress_search
   • Port: 443 (for HTTPS)
   • Path: /solr/wordpress_search
3. Save settings and reindex your site content.

Your WordPress search now uses Opensolr for fast and accurate results.

5. Integrating a Custom Website via Search API

If you have a custom PHP, Python, or Node.js website, you can interact directly with Opensolr’s Search API.

Example using cURL

curl "https://yourdomain.opensolr.com/solr/custom_site/select?q=example&rows=5&wt=json"

Example using PHP

<?php
$url = "https://yourdomain.opensolr.com/solr/custom_site/select?q=example&wt=json";
$response = file_get_contents($url);
$data = json_decode($response, true);
print_r($data);
?>

Example using JavaScript (Fetch API)

fetch("https://yourdomain.opensolr.com/solr/custom_site/select?q=example&wt=json")
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data));

6. Testing Your Integration

1. Index some test data or publish content.
2. Run a search from your website.
3. Verify that results match your Opensolr index.

7. Troubleshooting

8. Resources

• Opensolr Official Website
• Search API Drupal Documentation
• WPSOLR Plugin Documentation
• Apache Solr Reference

How to Create a New Opensolr Index (and Look Like a Pro Doing It)

Creating a new Opensolr Index is easier than brewing your morning coffee (and just as satisfying, minus the caffeine jitters ☕).

You can do this the classic way—using the Opensolr Control Panel—or you can show off your automation chops with the Opensolr Automation REST API.

But let’s stick to the tried-and-true Control Panel way. Here’s your step-by-step path to Solr greatness (US-EAST, Solr 7 in this example):

1. Login to your Opensolr Account

   

2. Click on the Control Panel link
   (You'll find this in the top-right corner of your user menu.)

   

3. Inside your Control Panel Dashboard, click “Add New”
   (Look for it at the top of your Control Panel menu options.)

   

4. Choose your desired region, Solr version, and country
   (Use the filters on the regions list to pick the perfect spot for your index.)

   

5. Click on your desired region
   (Or use “Request Env.” if you want something custom.)

   

6. Name your index
   (Or leave the auto-generated unique ID—mystery is always fun. Click Add Index!)

   

7. Click your index name to access your Index Control Panel

   

8. Update the Solr Configuration Files
   (Either edit them live, or upload a new Solr Config Zip from Drupal, or your own.)

   

💡 Tips for Power Users

• Using the API? You’re basically Neo from the Matrix. Check the API docs for all the cool moves.
• Each region and version may have different features and performance profiles—pick what fits your use case best.
• Always remember: naming your index something funny will amuse your future self.

Welcome to the big leagues of Solr search! 🏆

The OpenSolr Solr Manager Control Panel

Welcome to The OpenSolr Solr Manager Control Panel—your trusty co-pilot for navigating the world of Solr instances, minus the headaches. Whether you’re a seasoned search sorcerer or a mere mortal just dipping your toes into Solr waters, this web-based interface has your back.

Why Use the OpenSolr Control Panel? 🤔

Let’s face it—directly wrangling Solr configs is about as fun as debugging regex at 2am. That’s where the OpenSolr Solr Control Panel UI comes in:

• Not a replacement, but an enhancement: This custom control panel works hand-in-glove with the native Solr Admin Panel and Solr Core Admin API, bringing efficiency and user-friendliness to the next level.
• Designed for everyone: You don’t need a PhD in Lucene to use it. The intuitive interface opens Solr’s power to a wider audience, democratizing access to enterprise-grade search technology.
• Seamless integration: Enjoy the best of both worlds—the raw power of Solr and a UI that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out.

Features That Make Life Easier ✨

Here’s what you (and your sanity) can look forward to:

1. Instance Management: Create, delete, start, stop, and manage multiple Solr instances—all without breaking a sweat.
2. Schema Management: Define fields, types, and configurations via a clean visual interface. No more hunting through XML unless you’re into that sort of thing.
3. Indexing and Importing Data: Upload, index, and import data in CSV, JSON, XML, and more. If you can spell it, you can probably import it.
4. Query Interface: Run queries against your Solr index and review results in real time. Yes, instant gratification is a feature.
5. Monitoring and Metrics: Visual dashboards for performance, index stats, and query health. Stay ahead of surprises.
6. Security and Authentication: Manage access control, authentication, and authorization like a pro.
7. Configuration and Tuning: Fine-tune settings, request handlers, and cache with easy tools.
8. Alerts and Notifications: Get notified before things go sideways. Set thresholds, and let the panel keep watch.
9. Backup and Restore: Schedule backups, restore when needed, and sleep easier at night.

Note: Features may vary by provider, but this is the typical menu you’ll see on a Solr Manager Control Panel near you.

The Bottom Line

Opensolr’s bespoke Control Panel UI is a game-changer for search engine management. It combines Solr’s muscle with a user-friendly, customizable experience, making advanced search tech both accessible and efficient for everyone from startups to search veterans. Now you can focus on what matters—without worrying if your search setup will go full textpocalypse.

Questions? Feedback? Or just want to geek out about search? Get in touch!