On-Premises Installation Guide | Communifire Documentation

4.1 Prepare Your Site Files

1. Request your license key and installation file from Axero.
2. Download and unzip the installation file on your computer.
3. On your server, create a new folder for your site on a drive other than C (e.g., D:\websites\yoursite.com).
4. Copy the "DB_Scripts" and "Software" folders from the unzipped file to your new site folder.

4.2 Set Up Your Database

1. Start SQL Server Management Studio.
2. Create a new database:
   1. Right-click Databases and select New Database.
   2. On the General tab, name your database.
   3. On the Options tab, set the compatibility level to SQL Server 2016 (130).
   4. Click OK.
3. Run the database setup script:
   1. Right-click your new database and select New Query.
   2. Go to File > Open > File...
   3. Open the "DB_Scripts" folder in your site folder and select Communifire_Database_Schema.sql.
   4. Click Execute and ensure the query runs successfully.

4.3 Configure Your Database

1. Click New Query.
2. Copy and paste the following script into the query editor:

   EXEC [Dyve_System_InstantiateCommunity]
             @ApplicationName = 'your_site_name',
             @ApplicationURL = 'http://yoursite.com',
             @VirtualDirectory = '',
             @DefaultEmailAddress = 'email@email.com',
             @SMTPServer = '',
             @SMTPUsername = '',
             @SMTPPassword = '',
             @SMTPPort = 25,
             @AdminUserName = 'admin',
             @AdminPassword = 'choose_a_strong_password'

   Copy
3. Replace the values in quotes with your details.
4. Click Execute and ensure the query runs successfully.
5. Record the admin username and password. You'll need them to log in to your new site.

4.4 Update the Database

1. Click File > Open > File...
2. Open the "DB_Scripts" folder in your site folder and select CF_Database_Update_8.0-to-Latest.sql.
3. Click Execute and ensure the query runs successfully.

4.5 Create the Database User

1. Create a new login:
   1. In the Security tab, right-click Logins and select New Login.
   2. Select SQL Server authentication and enter a login name and password.
   3. Uncheck Enforce password policy.
2. Map user to database:
   1. Go to User Mapping, map the user to the new database, and grant db_owner permissions.
   2. Click OK.
3. Verify the user:
   1. Verify the new user in the Security > Users tab under your database.
   2. Right-click the user and select Properties.
   3. Click Membership and confirm that db_owner is assigned.
   4. Click Owned Schemas and grant db_owner permissions.
   5. Click OK.

4.6 Configure the Web Server

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Click Manage and select Add Roles and Features.
3. Click Next to proceed through the initial setup screens.
4. Under Select Server Roles, select Web Server (IIS) and click Add Features.
5. Click Next.
6. Select all of the .NET Framework 3.5 Features.
7. Select all of the .NET Framework 4.8 Features.
8. Select all features under WCF Services.
9. Click Next twice and select the following role services:
   • Common HTTP Features: HTTP Redirection, WebDAV Publishing
   • Health and Diagnostics: Custom Logging, Logging Tools
   • Security: All features
   • Application Development: WebSocket Protocol, Server Side Includes
   • Management Tools: IIS 6 Management Compatibility, IIS Management Scripts and Tools, Management Service
   • IIS 6 Management Compatibility: IIS 6 Management Console, IIS 6 Scripting Tools
10. Click Add Features, Next, and then Install.
11. After installation completes, click Close.

4.7 Install IIS URL Rewrite

Download and install IIS URL Rewrite on your web server.

4.8 Add Domain to Hosts File

1. Open the hosts file located at %SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts using a text editor.
2. Add a new line with your server IP and website address: YOUR_SERVER_IP_ADDRESS yoursite.com

4.9 Create the Site in IIS

1. Open IIS Manager.
2. Right-click Sites and select Add Website.
3. Name the website and copy this name to the Host name field.
4. For Physical path, select your site folder (e.g., D:\websites\yoursite.com).
5. Click OK.

4.10 Set Up SSL

1. In IIS Manager, go to Server Certificates and import your SSL certificate.
2. Right-click the site, select Bindings, and add an HTTPS binding.
3. Add the host name.
4. Check Require Server Name Indication.
5. Select your SSL certificate and click OK.
6. Click Close.

4.11 Configure the Application Pool

1. In IIS Manager, go to Application Pools.
2. Right-click the site and select Advanced Settings.
3. Configure the following settings:
   • Enable 32-Bit Applications: False
   • Idle Time-out (minutes): 0
   • Disable Overlapped Recycle: True
   • Regular Time Interval (minutes): 41760
4. Click OK.

4.12 Set Folder Permissions

1. In File Explorer, right-click your site folder and select Properties.
2. Go to the Security tab and click Edit.
3. Click Add and enter IIS AppPool\<YourAppPoolName>.
4. Assign the following permissions:
   • Site folder: Read
   • Software/Assets folder: Modify
   • Software/bin/HiQPdf.dep file: Read and Execute

4.13 Configure the Database Connection

1. Open the CFConnectionStrings.config file in the Software\Content folder using a text editor.
2. Update the connection string with your database details.
3. Save the file.

4.14 Install Elasticsearch

Follow the On-Premises Elasticsearch Installation guide.

4.15 Activate Your Site

1. Start the site in IIS.
2. When the site loads, click Click here to manage your license.
3. Log in with the admin username and password from Step 3.
4. Click Click here to manage your license again.
5. Enter your license key and click Save and Validate License Key.

4.16 Index Content

1. Go to Control Panel > System > System Properties.
2. Set the following properties:
   • ElasticsearchServer: http://localhost:9200
   • ElasticsearchShards: 1
   • EnableElasticsearch: true
3. Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Utilities.
4. Click Rebuild Index.