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1. |
Installation Requirements |
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Please review the following assumptions, requirements, and expectations for installing the panFora software with Windows NT/2000.
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System Requirements:
You will need the following (In addition to Windows Operating system and IIS software requirements):
- Microsoft Windows NT 4 (Service Pack 6) or Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2)
- Microsoft Information Internet Server (IIS) version 4 or 5
- Active State PERL
- 30 MB disk space (minimum) + storage for forum content
- 32 MB RAM (recommend > 64 MB)
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Software Requirements & Assumptions
It is assumed that you have:
- Microsoft Windows NT 4 (with service pack 6) or Windows 2000 (with service pack 2) installed on your server.
- Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) version 4, or 5 installed, configured and working correctly.
- Administrator account access to install software and further configure IIS on the server.
- Ability to download and install PERL from Active State's website and (as needed) Microsoft MSI package.
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Expectations:
- panFora software installation is "theoretically" simple and easy.
However, Microsoft IIS is a complex product that requires a high level of knowledge and expertise to administer and operate successfully.
Therefore, the required reconfiguration of IIS to accommodate the installation of any web application (including panFora) must be done with expert care.
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While we have taken steps to document instructions for panFora's installation with clarity and in great detail, we cannot account for all the variations of your particular IIS server configuration.
As such, we highly recommend and expect that the system administrator doing the panFora software installation has:
- familiarity with IIS web server concepts (such as virtual directories mapping, permissions and security).
- familiarity with filename extensions to applications mapping under IIS .
- prior experience installing web applications under IIS .
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Important Notes
- For customers with minimal Microsoft Windows and IIS system administrator experience, wiTHinc recommends and offers consulting and installation services to install the software for you.
- Contact consulting@withinc.com to inquire about pricing and to schedule your installation.
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2. |
Before you begin |
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These instructions are intended for Windows NT/2000 systems.
In this document you will find all the instructions on how to properly install panFora software on your webserver.
This document is intended for the Windows System Administrator who is responsible for the web server's operation.
- The Windows System Administrator installs panFora software and responds to requests for new forums from webmasters, clients (or others who act as designated Forum Administrators).
Please take advantage of our Tech Support Forum.
- Our online support team is happy to help with technical matters and questions related to panFora installation, FAQs and troubleshooting.
Tech Support Forum is free and only a mouse-click away.
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2.a. |
FYI |
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Important Notes
- You need to install panFora only once on your server, regardless of the number of Forums you plan on deploying.
Once panFora is installed, you will be able to create and set up as many Forums as your license allows.
Click here for more information on panFora licenses.
- If you are installing panFora for evaluation (panFora EVAL), you are granted use of panFora for 45 days.
After the free evaluation period, all forums will be disabled until you purchase a license.
- There is no need to reinstall panFora when upgrading a license, or restoring use of an expired Evaluation forum.
Just enter the newly purchased license key.
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2.d. |
Downloading and Installing PERL |
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panFora requires access to PERL v5.004 or greater for many of its administrative functions.
Because Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000 do not include PERL, it must be installed separately, and prior to installing panFora.
You may download a FREE version of PERL for Microsoft Windows, called ActivePerl, from Active State's website at http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePerl/.
At the website, you will find instructions to download and install the FREE ActivePerl binary distribution (along with the MSI package, if needed).
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Important Notes
Windows NT 4: To install ActivePerl, you must have the FREE Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) software.
- You can download MSI directly from Microsoft's web site, or you can find a link to download MSI on Active State's ActivePerl web page.
- After installing MSI, you can install ActivePerl as directed by the instructions from Active State.
Windows 2000: comes with Microsoft Windows Installer integrated, so Windows 2000 users may install ActivePerl directly.
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3. |
panFora Installation |
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This portion of the documentation provides step by step instructions on how to install panFora.
Once panFora Installation is completed, you may proceed to panFora Setup.
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3.b. |
Installing panFora Files |
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- Save the distribution file on your hard drive, and make a note of the directory where the file is saved (i.e. C:\Download\).
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Use Winzip (or a similar ZIP decompress/extraction tool) to uncompress the panFora distribution file contents into the desired install location.
- For the purposes of these instructions and as an example, we will assume that the desired install location is: C:\webapps\withinc
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After extraction, a subdirectory named "panFora" (C:\webapps\withinc\panFora) is created, containing the following within a small number of subdirectories:
- panFora program files.
- data files.
- support files.
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3.c. |
Setting-up panFora Virtual Directory |
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With Internet Information Server (IIS), you should always associate a Virtual Directory with the directory where panFora is installed.
Create a virtual directory that links to where you placed the unzipped panFora distribution files.
- Open the IIS Management Console
- Right-click on the Default Web Site
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Select New=>Virtual Directory.
- New Virtual Directory Wizard will appear (IIS4).
- Virtual Directory Creation Wizard will appear (IIS5).
- Enter "panFora" as the alias to be used to access this virtual directory.
- Browse to the installed panFora location (i.e. C:\webapps\withinc\panFora) to link the virtual directory to its absolute path.
- Set Access Permissions of Virtual Directory by selecting Read and Execute and deselecting all others.
- Click Finish to end Wizard.
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Important Notes
For more information on how to setup virtual directories and reasons for using virtual directories in IIS, please review the IIS documentation.
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3.d. |
Configuring CGI Access |
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In this portion of the documentation you'll follow the step by step instructions on how to configure CGI Access for IIS.
Choose CGI Access Configuration for either IIS4 or IIS5
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3.e. |
Securing panFora |
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This portion of the documentation provides step by step instructions on how to secure panFora.
Choose security configuration for either IIS4 or IIS5
Important Notes on Access Restriction
- The "panFora\util" subdirectory includes support programs that enable panFora to administer the forum and its data.
- If left exposed and accessible to IIS web users, these programs represent a security risk.
- Therefore, IIS access to this directory must be restricted.
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3.f. |
Securing Forum Data |
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In this portion of the documentation you'll follow the step by step instructions on how to secure Forum data.
- You will create a "Forums" virtual directory where panFora will place Forum web pages and operating data.
- You will set the correct permissions to this virtual directory to ensure panFora's proper operation.
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Create a Forums directory using Windows Explorer.
Important Notes:
- If the drive where the "Forums" directory resides is an NTFS partition, be sure to set security for Internet Guest Account (IUSR_xxx) as a user with "Full Control" access permissions for this "Forums" directory.

- For the purposes of these instructions and as an example, we will assume that the desired Forum data storage location is: C:\webapps\withinc\Forums
- Open the IIS Management Console
- Right-click on the Default Web Site
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Select New=>Virtual Directory.
- New Virtual Directory Wizard will appear (IIS4).
- Virtual Directory Creation Wizard will appear (IIS5).
- Enter "Forums" as the alias to be used to access this virtual directory.
- Link the virtual directory to its absolute path by browsing to the installed panFora location (i.e. C:\webapps\withinc\Forums).
Choose security configuration for either IIS4 or IIS5
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Important Notes
For more information on how to setup virtual directories and reasons for using virtual directories in IIS, please review the IIS documentation.
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