Installing/ro

Installing an SMF forum is very simple! Installing SMF can be done in five quick and simple steps.

Download the Install Archive
The latest SMF release can be found on the SMF downloads. The latest stable release will be always be available at

http://www.simplemachines.org/download/index.php/latest/install/

Create a Database and a Database User
Before running the installer, a database and a database user will need to be created. A database will store all of the information a forum requires, such as members, posts, and topics. A database user will allow the forum to access the stored information. Remember this information about the database and database user. You will need it when it comes time to run the installer.

Creating a database using PHPMyAdmin
Most shared hosting services disable this option. If the option to create databases through PHPMyAdmin is available through the hosting service you use, the database can be created from the PHPMyAdmin home page.

Creating a database using a control panel
Shared hosting services usually disable the ability to create a database through PHPMyAdmin. If the hosting service provides a control panel interface, then this can be used to create a database. Selecting the "MySQL Databases" or "Database Wizard" options should take you to a page prompting you to creating a MySQL database. With different hosts, these options may have different names.

SMF 2.0 has the ability to support other database types, including PostgreSQL and SQLite. SMF 1.1 supports only MySQL database types.

Creating a database user
A database user can be created through the control panel provided by your hosting service. Selecting the "MySQL Databases" or "Database Wizard" options should take you to a page, prompting you to create a MySQL database user. With different hosts, these options may have different names.

The database user requires the following permissions: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, ALTER, and INDEX. Additional permissions may be granted, if desired.

Run the installer
The final step in installing SMF is running the installer. The information from the previous steps will be used in the installation process.

The SMF install screen looks different for SMF 2.0 and SMF 1.1, however, both still require the same information. Navigating to the directory where SMF is located, should redirect you to the install.php file, and prompt the installer to run. For example: www.yourdomain.com/forum/install.php

Basic forum settings

 * Forum Name
 * The name for the forum being installed should go here. By default this is set to “My Community”. This can be changed later via the server settings section of the administration center if needed.


 * Forum URL
 * The URL the forum can be found at, without the trailing slash. The SMF installer will most likely have this correct, so it is safe to leave this field alone.


 * Gzip Output
 * If Gzip output tests pass, this can be used to save bandwidth and make pages load faster.


 * Database Sessions
 * Sessions can be stored in the database, or in files. Database sessions are more reliable, secure, and may work better on sites with multiple servers.


 * UTF-8 Character Set
 * UTF-8 character sets are useful for international forums, or forums that use languages other than English.


 * Allow Stat Collection
 * This option allows Simple Machines to collect statistics from your forum, anonymously, so the software can grow to meet the needs of its user base.

Database server settings

 * Database type
 * The database schema can be selected here from a list of database schemas supported by the server being used. Newer schemas (for SMF 2.0) such as PostgreSQL and SQLite may be listed here if available. MySQL and PostgreSQL are recommended.


 * Server name
 * The location of the database is specified here. 99% of the time this will be localhost.


 * Username
 * The username used for the database user should be placed here. If help is required for this, the hosting service provider should be contacted.


 * Password
 * The password for the database user is entered here.


 * Database name
 * The name used for the database should be placed here. If help is required for this, the hosting service provider should be contacted.


 * Database prefix
 * The prefix for all tables associated with this install is specified here. Prefixing tables with unique prefixes enables more than one application, or SMF install, to use the same database safely.

Creating an administrator account
The SMF installer will ask for information to create the forum's administrator account. This information includes username, password, and e-mail address, just like a regular account. Once created, this account can be used to visit the Administration Center to manage and configure the forum.

Finishing the installation process
Once all steps of the installation process have been completed, check the box to remove the install files from the server. If this does not work, they will need to be deleted via FTP. All installer files should be removed from the server once the installation process is complete, as they are a major security risk if left on a server unattended. Once SMF is installed they are no longer needed.