Getting Started with phpBB Forum Setup on VPS Hosting Plan

Introduction: This guide will walk you through setting up a phpBB forum on your Virtual Private Server (VPS) using TurnKey Linux. We'll cover accessing your VPS via SSH, completing the initial TurnKey Linux configuration, pointing your domain to your server's IP address, and setting up your forum environment.

Step 1: Access Your VPS via SSH

1. Obtain Your VPS Details:

   • IP Address: Provided in your welcome email.
   • Root Password: Provided in your welcome email.
   • SSH Port: Default is 22 unless specified otherwise.
     
     

2. Install an SSH Client:

   • Windows: Download PuTTY.
   • macOS/Linux: Use the built-in Terminal application.
     
     

3. Connect to Your VPS:

   • Open your SSH client.
   • For Windows (PuTTY):
     • Enter your VPS IP in the "Host Name" field.
     • Ensure the port is set to 22.
     • Click "Open."
   • For macOS/Linux Terminal:
     bash

     ssh root@<Your-VPS-IP>
     Replace <Your-VPS-IP> with your server's IP address.
     
     

4. Authenticate:

   • When prompted, enter the root password.
   • Upon successful login, you'll have terminal access to your VPS.

Step 2: Complete TurnKey Linux First Boot Configuration

Upon first login, TurnKey Linux will guide you through initial setup:

1. Set Root Password:

   • You'll be prompted to set a new password for the root user.

2. Configure MySQL Password:

   • Set a password for the MySQL root user.

3. Set phpBB Admin Credentials:

   • Provide a username, password, and email for the phpBB admin account.

4. Configure Domain and SSL:

   • Enter your domain name when prompted.
   • Opt to configure a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate for HTTPS support.

Step 3: Point Your Domain to Your VPS

Option A: Domain Registered with Us

1. Access Domain Management:

   • Log in to your account on our platform.
   • Navigate to the "Domain Management" or "DNS Settings" section.

2. Create an A Record:

   • Host: @ (represents the root domain)
   • Points to: Your VPS IP address
   • TTL: Default or 3600 seconds
     
     

3. Save Changes:

   • Apply the new DNS settings.
   • Note: DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate.

Option B: Domain Registered Elsewhere

1. Log in to Your Domain Registrar:

   • Access the DNS management area.

2. Add an A Record:

   • Host: @
   • Points to: Your VPS IP address
   • TTL: Default or 3600 seconds

3. Save Changes:

   • Apply the updated DNS settings.
   • Allow time for DNS propagation.

Step 4: Configure Your phpBB Forum

1. Access Your Forum:

   • Navigate to http://yourdomain.com or https://yourdomain.com.

2. Log in to Admin Panel:

   • Navigate to /adm (admin panel) on your forum URL.
   • Log in with the credentials you set during the initial setup.

3. Customize Your Forum:

   • Update settings, create categories, and manage user permissions from the admin panel.

Step 5: Management Tools

Additional Resources:

• TurnKey Linux phpBB Appliance: TurnKey Linux: phpBB Appliance
• PuTTY SSH Client: PuTTY Download Page
• phpBB Documentation: phpBB Official Documentation
• Let's Encrypt Documentation: Let's Encrypt Official Site

Note:

• DNS changes can take time to propagate globally.
• Ensure your VPS firewall allows HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) traffic.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• SSH Connection Issues: Double-check your VPS IP and password.
• DNS Propagation Delay: Use tools like DNS Checker to confirm changes.
• Forum Issues: Ensure your database connection details are correct in the phpBB configuration file.