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2.2 Installation

Installing Bistro web CMS involves three key steps:

Although these steps are quite simple and straight forward, we have outlined them here in more detail. Before you begin your installation, be sure to verify that your hosting environment meets the system requirements as described in the System Requirements section of this manual.

2.2.1 Creating an Empty Database

The steps involved in creating an empty database will vary greatly depending on your hosting provider. Some web hosts will provide a control panel where you can log in to create a database, others will have already created a database for you. For more details on how to create a MySQL database using different control panels, please refer to the following documents.

Using cPanel: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/cpanel_database

Using Plesk: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/plesk_database

Using Ensim: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/ensim_database

As a side note to this, support for additional database engines is in development, and if your environment requires the use of a different engine, be sure to contact Lewis Media to determine the status of drivers for the specific situation.

2.2.2 Uploading the Bistro Files

When you have extracted the Bistro files from the tar.gz (zip) file, they will automatically extract to a folder named "Bistro". To upload the files, simply connect to your web host via FTP and upload all files from the Bistro folder to the folder where you want to install your web CMS.

When using your FTP client, you will see the files on your computer, and the files on your web server.

  1. On your computer, find and open the Bistro folder that was created when you extracted the tar.gz file. In this folder you should find several files and folders (e.g. "index.php", "image.php", ".htacess", "admin" and "themes").
  2. On the server, find and open the folder where your website is stored (this is called the "web root" and is most commonly a folder named "public_html" or "www").
  3. To upload your files, select the files and sub-folders that make up the contents of the Bistro folder (do not include the Bistro folder itself) on your computer, and drag them over to your web server and drop them into the web root folder (typically named "public_html" or "www".)

2.2.3 Running the Install Wizard

To run the install wizard open a web browser that meets the Client (User) Requirements as described in System Requirements section of this manual, and visit the following site:

http:///www.yoursite.com/admin Where "www.yoursite.com" is the address of the folder where you uploaded Bistro. (note - if you uploaded Bistro to the "web root" folder as described above, no additional folder name is required other than the URL for your website followed by /admin. If, on the other hand, you uploaded your files into a subfolder of your "web root" folder (let's say for example a subfolder called Bistro, then the URL you would go to to complete the installation would be http://www.yoursite.com/Bistro/admin

The website that loads at this time is the first step in the installation wizard. Simply step through the wizard to complete the installation process.

  1. System Requirements Check: In this step, the wizard will verify that your hosting environment meets the required settings including permissions, software versions and license. Click "Next" to continue.
  2. BistroLicense: Please take the time to read the entire End User License Agreement. Once you have read the EULA, you must agree to the terms of the EULA by checking the box signifying your agreement, and clicking "Next".
  3. BistroLicense Key: Please enter the license key for the install package you have downloaded. The license key is comprised of 20 letters and numbers and can be found within the distributors' website, and on the Bistro License Certificate for this license. Once you have entered the license key, click "Next" to continue.
  4. Database Configuration: Enter the connection information for the database you created earlier in the installation process (see Creating an Empty Database). For the database server, if you are unsure of the server's name, simply leave the default value of "localhost". A value for Table Prefix is only required if you intend to install multiple Bistro installations into a single database. If this is the case, please verify that the Table Prefix you specify is unique to this installation. If a Table Prefix is not required, you may leave this field blank. Click "Next" to continue.
  5. System Configuration Part 1: The URL refers to the address someone would enter to visit this website. The Path is the actual directory structure on the web server that refers to the files you have uploaded. The install wizard will attempt to determine the values for these settings automatically. Please take a moment to verify that the automatically generated settings are correct. Click "Next" to continue.
  6. System Configuration Part 2: These three settings are very important. The web master email address is the address used to send any critical notifications - for example, severe security warnings, submissions from a form, and key updates. When you first install Bistro, we recommend that this be set to the email address of the individual developing the website. Once a site is live, however, we recommend this setting be changed to the email address of the owner of the website. This setting can be changed in the "System Setup" area of Bistro.
    1. When Monitoring is enabled, once a day a Lewis Media server will send a query to the Bistro install, to verify that the site is still up, and to see if there has been an increase in the number of security alarms or severe errors. In the event that the site is inaccessible, or in the event that there has been a notable increase in the number of alarms or errors, you will be notified so that you may contact the owner of the site to determine if any additional maintenance is required.
    2. When Modules are set to Auto-Install, the installation wizard will automatically install each module that was shipped with this installation package. If you disable this option, you will be required to install each module manually. If do not intend to activate each of the purchased modules immediately, you may want to disable this option.
  7. Login Preferences: On this page you can specify the name, email address and password of the first SuperAdmin account. This is the account you will use to login and configure Bistro for the first time, so be sure to select an email address and password that you will remember.
  8. Module Configuration: This last step of the installation wizard will begin only if the "auto-install" option was enabled during the earlier system configuration steps. This step will automatically install each of the modules that shipped with Bistro.

Once the installation wizard has finished, click "Login" to login to Bistro and begin configuring your new website!