STEP 1.Installation Requirments

Make sure your server / Host has the following requirments:

  1. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (Use version 1.9.3 or earlier for .NET Framework 2.0)
  2. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or above. SQL Server 2000 works, but requires removal of some SQL forum database optimizations.

STEP 2. BACKUP & REMOVE

  1. Backup all your existing installation YAF files remove the following directories from your forum root directory:
    • \bin
    • \classes
    • \controls
    • \defs
    • \editors
    • \install
    • \language
    • \pages
    • \template
    • \themes
    • \Web References
  2. Be careful not to delete the /images or /upload directory.
  3. If upgrading: BACKUP YOUR DATABASE

STEP 3. UNZIP

  1. Unzip or unzip and FTP the the entire file structure YAF-BIN ZIP archive to the folder you want to run YAF to run inside. App_Code and Bin directories MUST be in your application root, but they can be merged.

STEP 4. COPY WEB.CONFIG FILE

  1. If you are upgrading an existing YAF installation please follow these important directions:

    UPGRADING YAF FORUMS v1.9.1.x:
    Copy and rename the "/webconfigs/v191-upgrade-web.config" to "/web.config" as it contains necessary settings for the YAF membership providers to support backwards compatibility with your older YAF database.

    IMPORTANT: UPGRADING YAF FORUMS v1.9.3:
    You need to MERGE the changes for the /webconfigs/recommended-web.config or the /webconfigs/v191-upgrade-web.config depending on the original web config you used -- the membership provider settings have changed.

  2. How to merging Web.Config Files:
    1. A tip to merge web.config files is to download both of them, then use a merge program to combine. WinMerge is a free and excellent merge program which you can download here: href="http://www.winmerge.org/">http://www.winmerge.org/
  3. New Installation
    1. If you are starting with a new installation, we recommend you start with  "/webconfigs/recommended-web.config" and copy/rename it to "/web.config" in your application root. The "/webconfigs/recommended-web.config" files contains better default ASP.NET security settings for a NEW installation of YAF.  Warning: DO NOT edit the web.config unless you know what you're doing.

STEP 5. SETUP DATABASE (IGNORE IF UPGRADE)

  1. A valid database needs to exist on your SQL Server with proper permissions set so that YAF can access it. When you run YAF for the first time it will detect that the database is empty (or needs upgrading) and will automatically run you through the process required to create the SQL database structures needed.

STEP 6. (OPTIONAL) MODIFY "app.config" FILE:

  1. By default YAF is designed to be installed at the root application on any IIS web server. If you want YAF to be installed off of the main root, you need to modify the root key. Make sure the files in the /bin directory of the YAF zip file are copied to /bin directory on the root of your web server. Then open up "app.config" and uncomment the "YAF.AppRoot" key. Enter the value as the  directory to your forum.  Example: If you have install the forum in the directory "/forum/yaf/" you will need to uncommend/add key with name "YAF.AppRoot" and value "/forum/yaf/" to app.config.

STEP 7. (OPTIONAL) MODIFY "mail.config" FILE:

  1. Modify the SMTP settings by entering your mail server information. If you SMTP server requires SSL, you must add:
    <add key="YAF.UseSMTPSSL" value="false" /> to your app.config or appSettings.

STEP 8a. NEW INSTALLATION:

Open the file <YAF.AppRoot>install/default.aspx on your web site. If you are testing on your local computer, under a directory called YetAnotherForum.Net, the address should be: http://localhost/yetanotherforum.net/install/

Follow the installation wizard directions and you should be able to log in with the administration account you created during the setup. Give the ASPNET/Network Service account write access to the Upload folder.

STEP 8b. UPGRADE:

Open the file <YAF.AppRoot>install/default.aspx on your web site. If you are testing on your local computer, under a directory called YetAnotherForum.Net, the address should be: http://localhost/yetanotherforum.net/install/

The wizard will guide you through the upgrade process.

Yet Another Forum Community Support

If you have any questions, please visit the YAF Community Support forum: http://forum.yetanotherforum.net

Yet Another Forum Priority Support and Consulting

Please visit Tiny Gecko’s YAF Services Web page for more information on Priority Support and Integration service options.

Contact Us

Thanks for trying YAF! If you have any suggestions or comments please email us at: support@yetanotherforum.net