| PhpBB is an open source forum software that | | | | grows too fast, there will be too many concurrent |
| anyone can download and use. It is free to use, and | | | | users connecting to the server. This means that the |
| many webmasters like to use this software to run | | | | number of requests that is sent to the server will be |
| online communities. Of course, you have to ensure | | | | dramatically increased. Sometimes, this may cause |
| that the software works seamlessly with your web | | | | the server to slow down temporary. If the same |
| hosting service provider. Here is how to choose a | | | | issue occurs on numerous occasions, other users of |
| compatible host for PhpBB. | | | | the same shared environment may start to complain. |
| 1) Linux hosting. | | | | As a result, your hosting account may be suspended |
| Since the software is written in PHP, it's best that | | | | temporarily. |
| you choose Linux hosting. Windows servers can also | | | | Therefore, to avoid having your hosting account |
| run PHP scripts, but some features do not run in a | | | | disrupted, always make sure that you plan for the |
| Windows environment (e.g. mod rewrite). Mod | | | | growth of your site. If you see that the site is |
| rewrite is important for SEO purposes. | | | | growing rapidly, make plans to migrate the site to a |
| 2) Cpanel control panel. | | | | more stable environment. For instance, instead of |
| Most Linux servers come with free Cpanel admin | | | | hosting the site on a shared hosting plan, host it on a |
| control panel. Once you have access to the control | | | | VPS hosting package. With a VPS plan, you get |
| panel, you can login and install the PhpBB script. | | | | dedicated server resources and admin rights. As a |
| Cpanel also comes with Fantastico. This useful | | | | general rule of thumb, you can continue using the |
| feature can help you install the forum within minutes. | | | | shared plans if you site has less than 2000 members. |
| It offers an easy to use installation wizard, which | | | | Anything more than 2000 members, you will have to |
| promote, guide and assist you with the entire | | | | consider taking up VPS or dedicated hosting. |
| installation process. | | | | Of course, VPS and dedicated hosting cost a lot |
| 3) Hosting space and bandwidth. | | | | more when compared to shared hosting. So if you |
| The hosting industry is very competitive. Today, you | | | | starting a brand new forum, it is completely alright to |
| find that you can unlimited hosting space and | | | | setup the forum on a shared server. It takes time |
| bandwidth on shared hosting plans. Usually, if you run | | | | for the form to grow to several thousand members. |
| static sites on these plans, you will not encounter any | | | | So you may be saving on hosting fees for the first 6 |
| problems. However, if you intention is to run a forum, | | | | months or so. |
| your site may eventually end up hogging too much | | | | When the forum starts to gain momentum, migrate |
| resources. | | | | the entire site to a new hosting environment with |
| The problem with running a forum is that if the site | | | | more resources. |