panFora installation
panFora Installation on the Server For Mac OS X

  • ( Looking for how to install panFora on Windows or Unix-based systems?
    Click here.)

  • Note: Please read the following instructions for installing panFora on Mac OS X systems carefully, and follow the installation steps sequentially.

 
  Table of Contents
  1. Installation Requirements

  2. Before You Begin

    1. FYI

    2. Gathering Information and Privileges

  3. panFora Installation

    1. Downloading panFora Distribution

    2. Installinging panFora Files

    3. Web Server Configuration

    4. Mail Server Configuration

  4. panFora Setup

  5. Create New Forum
   

 
1.   Installation Requirements
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Please review the following assumptions, requirements, and expectations for installing the panFora software with Mac OS X operating systems and its Apache web server software.

  1. System Requirements:

    You will need the following (in addition to Operating System and Apache software requirements):

    1. Mac OS X 10.1+

    2. PERL version 5.6 or greater (already included in OS X installation)

    3. 30 MB disk space (minimum) + storage for forum content

    4. 64 MB RAM (or greater)

  2. Assumptions

    It is assumed that you have:

    1. OS X operating system and PERL correctly installed on your computer.

    2. Apache web server included with OS X installation ready to go.

    3. system administrator privileges to modify Apache server configuration (as needed) and create/write to web document directories.

  3. Expectations:

    1. panFora software installation is simple and easy.

      However, the required reconfiguration of Apache to accommodate the installation of any web application (including panFora) is best done by a knowledgeable system administrator.

    2. While we have taken steps to document instructions for panFora's installation with clarity and detail, we cannot account for all the variations of your particular web server and system configuration.
      As such, we highly recommend and expect that the system administrator doing the panFora software installation has:

      • familiarity with Apache web server concepts (such as web directories mapping, file directory permissions).

      • prior experience installing web applications.
   
Important Notes

  • For customers with minimal 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
 

 
2.   Before you begin
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These instructions are intended For Mac OS X operating systems and Apache web server software.

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 System Administrator who is responsible for the web server's operation.

  • The 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.
     

 
2.a.   FYI
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Important Notes

  • You need to install panFora only once in 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 new license key.
 

 
2.b.   Gathering Information and Privileges
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In order to install panFora software, you should have the following information and privileges:

  • Web server's Document Root directory. [ Click for explanation ]
      (default on OS X: /Library/WebServer/Documents).

  • Read, write and execute permission within Document Root directory. [ Click for explanation ]

  • Web server configuration file location (httpd.conf) and modification privileges. [ Click for explanation ]
      (default on OS X: /etc/httpd/httpd.conf).

  • Desired location for installing panFora. [ Click for explanation ]
      (suggest for OS X: /Library/WebServer/Documents/withinc/panFora).

  • Desired location for placing Forum webpages and data.
      (suggest for OS X: /Library/WebServer/Documents/withinc/Forums).

  • Location of downloaded panFora distribution file. [ Click for explanation ]

  • Path to installed PERL executable. [ Click for explanation ]
      (default on OS X: /usr/bin/perl).

  • Path to sendmail executable. [ Click for explanation ]
      (default on OS X: /usr/sbin/sendmail).

  • Web server process Owner ID and Group ID. [ Click for explanation ]
      (default on OS X: www and www, respectively)
      (default on OS X Server: Owner ID is www. Group ID may be www or admin. Check your web server configuration to be sure.)

 
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.

 
3.a.   Downloading panFora Distribution
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If you have already downloaded the panFora distribution file for Mac OS X operating systems from wiTHinc's website, skip to the next step.

 
3.b.   Installing panFora Files
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If your web server configuration is set up differently than the default setup described below, please make the appropriate changes to the absolute paths mentioned in the instructions.

The paths given below are just an example. Your paths must be consistent with your system and web server configuration.

In the installation directions below, we will put panFora in a subdirectory of your web server space.

You may also choose to put panFora on the root level of the web server space.

The examples below are applicable to Apple's OS X apache web server.

panFora will work with other web servers, but it is left to the user to configure the web server properly.

   
Important Notes

Text that appears between < > represent the commands being typed in the installation procedure.

 
   
  1. Go to the web server's Document Root directory
       < cd /Library/WebServer/Documents >

  2. Make the subdirectory "withinc"
       < sudo mkdir withinc >

  3. Change to the withinc directory
       < cd withinc >

  4. Make the subdirectory "Forums"
       < sudo mkdir Forums >

  5. Extract the distribution file, "panFora-xxx.tgz", to deposit all necessary panFora files and subdirectories into the withinc directory
       < sudo tar xzf /path-of-distribution/panFora-xxx.tgz >

  6. Transfer ownership of all panFora files and directories to the web server.

    • In the example below, we assume that the owner-id and group-id of the webserver are www and www, respectively. OS X Server may use group admin instead of www.

    • Please check your webserver configuration for the appropriate values.

       < sudo chown -R www ../withinc >
       < sudo chgrp -R www ../withinc >

 
3.c.   Web Server Configuration
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Configure apache web server to run panFora and its cgi-scripts.

In apache's httpd.conf (OS X location:/etc/httpd/httpd.conf) please confirm, add, or change configuration lines as follows:

  • DirectoryIndex    index.html
    AccessFileName    .htaccess

  • <Directory "/Library/WebServer/Documents/withinc">
    Options    FollowSymLinks   ExecCGI
    AllowOverride    All
    </Directory>

  • <Directory "/Library/WebServer/Documents/withinc/panFora">
    Options    FollowSymLinks   ExecCGI
    AllowOverride    All
    </Directory>

  • AddHandler    cgi-script   .cgi
   
Important Notes on Web Server Configuration

  • Remember to restart the web server in order to have the changes, made in Apache's configuration files, take effect. Restarting the web server can be done as follows:

    • From the Apple Menu, open System Preferences...

    • From the System Preferences window, select Sharing under "Internet & Networking"

    • Within the "File & Web" tab panel, click on Start button under "Web Sharing Off". If Web Sharing is already On, click on "Stop" first, and then clicking on same button when it is relabeled "Start".

 

 
3.d.   Mail Server Configuration
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In default Mac OS X installations, permissions for two upper level directories are set insecurely and thus prevent the "sendmail" program from running. Note: "sendmail" is required for sending out emails and email notifications from panFora.

This security issue can be corrected by typing a command into a Terminal window as follows:

   < sudo chmod g-w / /Library >

 
4.   panFora Setup
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Now, using a web browser, go to the appropriate URL to complete the wizard's 5 step setup:

  1. Locating PERL

  2. Locating sendmail

  3. Setting the panFora system administrator password

  4. Entering the panFora license key

  5. Registering your copy of panFora
  • If you followed the installation instructions exactly, the setup web URL is:
    http://your.server/withinc/panFora/Init.cgi
   
Important Notes

  • If you installed panFora in a different subdirectory, change the URL accordingly.

 
   
  • The wizard will guide you through the easy 5 step set-up process.

  • At the end of the process, you'll be given 2 URLs:

    • One goes to "Creating and Setting up a Forum" web pages.

    • The other goes to the panFora System Administrator "Admin Menu" web pages.

    • Remember to either record these URLs or bookmark for future reference.

  • If you would like designate another administrator who will create, set-up and delete forums, you may give the panFora System Administrator Password you specified in the setup to that person, and provide him with the "Creating and Setting up a Forum" instruction document.

    That person is referred as the panFora System Administrator.

 
5.   Create New Forums
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  • Please click here for instructions on how to Create Forums
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