I have been using DNN for about three years now.. have not installed a version in about 3 months I think though...
When is the installation going to be accurate and easy?
1. It is so easy for the install scripts to check permissions before attempting what ends up being a failed install. Which by the way is a pain to start over.
2. If you follow these instructions and nothing else.. you will never install. NEVER!!! Why? You have to change the commented connection settings to sql 2000/5 instead of sql express.. yeah that is easy but Im sitting here for an hour wondering what the heck.
DotNetNuke
For more details please see the DotNetNuke Installation Guide (downloadable from dotnetnuke.com)
Clean Installation
- .NET Framework 2.0 must be installed
- unzip package into C:\DotNetNuke
- create Virtual Directory in IIS called DotNetNuke which points to the directory where the DotNetNuke.webproj file exists )
- make sure you have default.aspx specified as a Default Document in IIS
- rename release.config -> web.config
- SQL Server 2000 or 2005
- manually create SQL Server database named "DotNetNuke" ( using Enterprise Manager or your tool of choice )
- set the connection string in web.config in TWO places ( ie. <add key="SiteSqlServer" value="Server=(local);Database=DotNetNuke;uid=;pwd=;" /> )
- the {Server}/NetworkService user account must have Read, Write, and Change Control of the root website directory and subdirectories ( this allows the application to create files/folders )
- browse to localhost/DotNetNuke in your web browser
- the application will automatically execute the necessary database scripts and provide feedback in the browser
Application Upgrades
- make sure you always backup your files/database before upgrading to a new version
- BACKUP your web.config file in the root of your site
- unzip the code over top of your existing application ( using the Overwrite and Use Folder Names options )
- rename release.config -> web.config
- merge any localized settings from your old web.config to the new web.config. These typically include:
- connection strings ( SiteSqlServer )
- machine keys ( validationKey and decryptionKey )
- objectQualifier
- browse to localhost/DotNetNuke in your web browser
- the application will automatically execute the necessary database scripts and provide feedback in the browser