WordPress MU

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WordPress MU is a multi-user version of the famous WordPress blogging application.

Contents


NOTICE
WordPress MU is not allowed to be run on our shared hosting servers. If you intend on running this under your account, you are required to be on a Private Server.

Warning/Important Notes

WordPress Multiuser is not for everybody. Some things you must know:

  • Unlike the single-user WordPress, this is not available as a one-click install. Support is NOT PROVIDED BY DREAMHOST.
  • Those wishing to install the software must realize that it is server farm software on the level of what runs WordPress.com, and other large multi-user blogging sites.
  • Users should have basic knowledge of PHP, MySQL, how to edit files, and how to review error logs in case of trouble. Experience with the regular Wordpress platform as well as the knowledge on how to install addons such as WordPress Themes and Plugins would be a requirement as well.

It is not for beginners.

Before you install

In some cases, you may not need to install WPMU. You may be fine with a single-user install. Some questions you want to ask before you begin:

  • Are you creating more than five blogs with different admins?
  • Are you proficient in PHP, MySQL, and reviewing logs for errors?
  • Are you confident in providing support for (potentially) many users?
  • Do you want to give each blog a subdomain or a subdirectory? Subdomains require wildcard DNS. In some cases, it may be more trouble.

If you're confident, get ready to install!

Installing

Below are some tips and steps that should help you get a copy of WordPress MU installed and running on your domain.

Requirements

Things needed for this process:

  1. Dreamhost PS
  2. A domain or subdomain. (e.g. domain.com)
  3. A domain using DreamHost's PHP5 cgi (this is 'very' important)
  4. Patience

Step One: Getting everything set up correctly

Before we can even get to the installing of WPMU, we need to have our domain happy with a wildcard DNS entry. To do this, you will need to contact the support team and request that this be set up for you. Your request will not be processed unless you are on a PS server. Just let them know that you are installing WordPress MU and that you need a wildcard DNS entry, and a wildcard ServerAlias entry set up for the domain you're installing it on. DO NOT, DO NOT, do not skip this step, or use the panel or simply enter an asterisk"*" as a CNAME record on the panel. This is ineffective and will cause tremendous problems down the line.

Step Two: Installing WPMU

  1. Download the current version.
  2. Read the included instructions within the compressed file.
  3. Create a MySQL user and database for the install. Note the information for later use.
  4. Uncompress the contents of the downloaded file to your local computer.
  5. Upload the contents of the WPMU folder to the root of your web space.
  6. Reset the webspace's main directory as well as the /wp-content subdirectory to 777.
  7. Load up the site within your browser and follow the detailed instructions. Be careful about choosing between subdomains and subdirectories.

Troubleshooting

If things go wrong, try looking up your problem on the Official WordPress MU Forums. If you can't find an answer, ask it there. Be sure to note the Debugging page for needed information before posting to the forums.

  • Make sure that you have created the domain to work without 'www.' on the domain management page in the panel.
  • Make sure you installed the software without the 'http://www' in the domain name if you are using subdomains.
  • Did you accidentally create a subdomain install unintentionally/without contacting support to create a wildcard? If so, dump your database and start over. (Or ask for the wildcards to be put in place. Then try your site.)
  • If you run into trouble, the first place to look is within the server's error logs. You may find a clue as to what is occuring. Also note that WPMU creates it's own error_log within the main directory.
  • Be sure to search the forums with keywords covering your issue. Chances are someone has already run into the issue that you are having.
  • If you are getting errors involving "cgi-system", double-check that your domain is using PHP 5.x. You can change this in your domain panel and it'll switch in about 10 minutes.
  • If you are using the domain mapping feature, you need to configure a unique IP. Otherwise Apache will not recognize the request.

See Also

Retrieved from "http://wiki.dreamhost.com/WordPress_MU"
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