Installation Requirements

Make sure your server / Host has the following requirements:

  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.

New Installation

STEP 1. UNZIP

  1. Unzip the file structure YAF-BIN ZIP archive to the folder you want to run YAF to run inside. The YAF \Bin directory must be in your application root.

STEP 2. SETUP DATABASE

  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 3. COPY WEB.CONFIG FILE

  1. You need to copy te file /webconfigs/recommended-web.config to your yaf root Folder and rename it to web.config. Warning: DO NOT edit the web.config unless you know what you're doing.

STEP 3a. (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 in a sub folder, 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 un comment 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 un comment/add key with name "YAF.AppRoot" and value "/forum/yaf/" to app.config.

STEP 3b.(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 4. Run The Install Wizard

  1. Open the file 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/
  2. The wizard will guide you through the Install Process.

Upgrade Installation

STEP 1. 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. BACKUP YOUR DATABASE

STEP 2. UNZIP

  1. Unzip the file structure YAF-BIN ZIP archive to the folder you want to run YAF to run inside. The YAF \Bin directory must be in your application root.

STEP 3. Upgade - The WEB.CONFIG FILE

Please follow these important directions:

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.

IMPORTANT: Remove the Lines if you Upgrade to YAF Version >= 1.9.5.5

<add tagPrefix="DotNetAge" namespace="DNA.UI.JQuery" assembly="DNA.UI.JQuery"/>
<add tagPrefix="DotNetAge" namespace="DNA.UI" assembly="DNA"/>

<add tagPrefix="YAF" namespace="YAF.Classes.UI" assembly="YAF.Classes.UI"/>

<add tagPrefix="YAF" namespace="YAF.Classes.Utils" assembly="YAF.Classes.Utils"/>
<add tagPrefix="YAF" namespace="YAF.Classes.Core" assembly="YAF.Classes.Core"/>
<add tagPrefix="YAF" namespace="YAF.Classes.Data" assembly="YAF.Classes.Data"/>

<add namespace="YAF"/>
<add namespace="YAF.Classes.Utils"/>
<add namespace="YAF.Classes.Core"/>
<add namespace="YAF.Controls"/>
<add namespace="YAF.Classes.Data"/>

<add namespace="YAF.Classes.UI"/>


IMPORTANT: Update this following lines if you Upgrade to YAF Version >= 1.9.5.5

Change the Line from....

<add name="YafTaskModule" type="YAF.Classes.Core.YafTaskModule, YAF.Classes.Core"/>

to

<add name="YafTaskModule" type="YAF.Core.YafTaskModule, YAF.Core"/>

Change the Line from....

<add name="YafTaskModule" type="YAF.Classes.Core.YafTaskModule, YAF.Classes.Core" preCondition="managedHandler"/>

to

<add name="YafTaskModule" type="YAF.Core.YafTaskModule, YAF.Core" preCondition="managedHandler"/>

Change the Line from....

<profile enabled="true" defaultProvider="YafProfileProvider" inherits="YAF.Classes.Utils.YafUserProfile">

to

<profile enabled="true" defaultProvider="YafProfileProvider" inherits="YAF.Utils.YafUserProfile">

Change the Line from....

<add verb="POST,GET,HEAD" path="ajaxpro/*.ashx" type="AjaxPro.AjaxHandlerFactory, AjaxPro.2"/>

to

<add verb="GET" path="Resource.ashx" type="YAF.YafResourceHandler, YAF" />

Change the Line from....

<add name="AjaxPro" preCondition="integratedMode" verb="POST,GET,HEAD" path="ajaxpro/*.ashx" type="AjaxPro.AjaxHandlerFactory, AjaxPro.2" />

to

<add name="YafHandler" preCondition="integratedMode" verb="GET" path="Resource.ashx" type="YAF.YafResourceHandler, YAF" />

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: http://www.winmerge.org/

STEP 4. UPGRADE Wizard:

  1. 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/
  2. 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, or visit the Wiki for More Informations.

Yet Another Forum Priority Support and Consulting

Please visit YAF Services Page for more information on Priority Support, Integration and commercial business options.

Contact Us

Thanks for trying YAF! If you have any suggestions or comments please post them on the support forum!