Installation of large forum scripts on the site is carried out using automatic tools offered by the developers. The forum can be installed on a hosting that meets the system requirements. For the functioning of most engines, you will need PHP and MySQL corresponding versions.
Hosting Compliance
Before installing the forum, make sure that the hosting you choose meets the requirements of the script. You can study the required parameters on the official website of the developer. The newest applications require PHP version 5, 1 or higher. The hosting must be able to work with MySQL (PostgreSQL, MS SQL or Oracle, depending on the script). Also, some forums require linked libraries (zlib, Imagemagick), which you can learn more about from your hosting provider. All libraries are checked by the installer.
The installation will not complete if your server does not meet the requirements.
Preparing for installation
Before installing, you need to upload the forum file to your hosting. To do this, go to the account control panel on the provider's server, and then use the file manager or FTP service. Upload the archive with the forum to the directory below htdocs (or www, depending on the version of the hosting software). After the operation, unpack the file into this directory using the corresponding element of the control panel.
Create a database for the forum on your server. To do this, select the Create Database option in the hosting control panel.
Save the username and password for accessing the database, as they will be required during installation.
Installation
Using a browser, go to your site in the directory where the forum was saved. If all actions were performed correctly, you will see a message from the forum about the start of the installation. Click "Next" for the program to check if the server meets its requirements. If you have errors at this step, you should contact your hosting provider for clarification.
If the check was successful, enter the name of your database, hostname, login and password for access. Wait until the installation is complete and specify the primary configuration parameters. The installation of the forum is now complete and you can start modifying it.
The script installation procedure may differ due to the individual features of each engine. If you have any problems, you can use the readme.txt and install.txt files, which are located in the same archive with the forum.
Some hosting providers provide services to automatically install forum scripts on the server. If installation is not possible, try to pick up an older version of the forum you have chosen or use alternative engines.
