Installing WordPress MU on a CPanel/WHM Server
I was encountering some difficulties installing WordPress MU 1.0 using different subdomains, and I finally figured it out after some time, so I thought I’d do a walkthough to help fellow MU-wannabes. 
I think its important, first to understand that different web hosts use different admin control panel systems, and mine is using CPanel/WHM. I have a reseller account, so I have access to the WHM console.
To triple confirm, your webhost admin should look something similiar to this:
and your WHM, if you are a reseller, should look like this:
Actually, on a second thought - it may not, because this is one of the skins… but just make sure you are using CPanel/WHM if you want to follow through with this walkthrough.
What are we going to achieve here?
At the end of the whole thing, you will install WordPress MU 1.0 on your server, using a different subdomain for each blog. So for example, if your domain is bloggingiscool.com, then you will be able to quickly create blogs like http://firstblog.bloggingiscool.com, http://secondblog.bloggingiscool.com… and so on.
In this installation, you will also be installing it in the root directory of your server (i.e. public_html), so http://bloggingiscool.com will be your main MU blog. You can choose to install it in a subdirectory, such that http://bloggingiscool.com/blogs as your main MU blog, but again I will cover only the first one. Go figure (duh, just dump the code one level deeper!), if you want to install it in a subdirectory.
Note that WordPress MU also offers another alternative, that is to install each blog in a different subdirectory. I will not be covering that here.
Lets get started.
Step 1. Download WordPress MU and extract the files
The first step, is of course for you to head down to the WordPress MU download page, and grab a copy of the source code. It should be a zip or tar.gz file. Doesn’t matter.
Unzip the file. You will get a directory like this:
Step 2. Upload Those Files!
Now, WordPress freaks out there, DON’T be tempted to go and edit the wp-config-sample.php! What you need to do now is to just upload the whole thing into your webserver!
So, the files in your public_html folder in your web server will look like this (treat the wordpressmu-1.0 folder like your public_html folder)
Step 3. Change File Permissions
Head on to your domain. i.e open your browser and head on to http://www.{your-domain}.com
You may get this message, or a few different others. Just follow the instructions and to the CHMOD to your files.
Also make sure that you have Apache’s mod_rewrite module enabled for your server. If you have been using WordPress on your server with custom permalinks, then you are fine. If you are unsure, do check with your server admin.
When you are done with the permissions setting, you should get this.
Hold on a minute, don’t enter the details first.
Step 4. Set up your mySQL database
Now its time to log on to your CPanel and create your mySQL database and user. For this example, lets say your mySQL username is blogcool_user, password is bloggingisverycool and database name is blogcool_wpmu.
Step 5. Enter the details
Select “subdomains” in the Blog Addresses section, enter your mySQL credentials into the page, and the details of your main blog.
Hit submit and you will grin like me 
seeing that you are done!
Your login credentials are sent to the email address specified.
Don’t be too happy yet. You are only halfway done!
Yeah. The show has just begun. WordPress MU is installed, fair enough, but configuration for your subdomains will NOT work! You can go ahead and create the blogs, but you WON’T be able to access your blogs using the subdomains like http://firstblog.bloggingiscool.com
So, next, you need to configure your server!
For those who do not have reseller accounts, you might just need to ring your server admin up to get this part done for you. For those with reseller accounts, you still need to contact your server admin. The only time you do not need to contact your server admin is when you have the rights to access your server’s httpd.conf file.
Well. I didn’t. That’s why I was stuck~! 
Step 6: Configure your wildcard DNS and sub domains (sounds geeky)
If you read the readme, it recommends you to Matt’s blog where he explains how to do so. But to me, it didn’t really help, because he was giving me a bunch of code - I had a graphical web interface for my reseller admin console.
Anyway, here’s what you need to do.
Log in to your WHM account. On the left, find and click “Edit DNS Zone”.
Your accounts appear on the right. Select the domain you use for your WPMU installation, and click “Edit”
You will see a bunch of text boxes and a bunch of numbers!
Whoa! What is this? To be frank, I don’t know much either, but what I know is that messing with these number is no fun (because I’ve messed up with them before, and caused some trouble for the server admin :mrgreen:)… but I know what to do now.
You will see something like this. (erm.. minus the red arrows. Those are my drawings. Nice? :))
Create a new entry after “Add New Entries Below this Line”.
You should specify * for domain, 14400 for TTL (default value), A for record type, and your server IP address. To find out what IP you should type, refer to the record with your domain above.
Click save.
Go ahead and retrieve the same page again (i.e. Edit DNS Zone -> Select Your Account). You should see the new entry there.
If that is the case, you are done with WHM. *phew*
BUT you are not totally done yet!
Step 7: Erm… part 2 of step 6? I promise this is the last part!
You need to add something to your httpd.conf file.
I personally do not have the opportunity to do so, so I had to mail my friendly server admin to do it.
Here is what you need to add:
<VirtualHost {SERVER_IP_ADDRESS}>
DocumentRoot /home/{CPANEL_USERNAME}/public_html
BytesLog domlogs/{YOUR_DOMAIN}-bytes_log
User {CPANEL_USERNAME}
Group {CPANEL_USERNAME}
ServerAlias {YOUR_DOMAIN} *.{YOUR_DOMAIN}
ServerName www.{YOUR_DOMAIN}
CustomLog domlogs/{YOUR_DOMAIN} combined
</VirtualHost>
Where:
- {SERVER_IP_ADDRESS} is your server IP address
- {CPANEL_USERNAME} is your CPanel username. Normally this should be eight characters or less. This is the username you use to log into your CPanel console for your account
- {YOUR_DOMAIN} refers to your domain, e.g. bloggingiscool.com
So, giving an example, where my IP is 123.456.789.123, CPanel username is blogcool and domain is bloggingiscool.com, the code is like this:
<VirtualHost 123.456.789.123>
DocumentRoot /home/blogcool/public_html
BytesLog domlogs/bloggingiscool.com-bytes_log
User blogcool
Group blogcool
ServerAlias bloggingiscool.com *.bloggingiscool.com
ServerName www.bloggingiscool.com
CustomLog domlogs/bloggingiscool.com combined
</VirtualHost>
Again, you (or your server admin) need to add this to your httpd.conf file, and according to Matt, this entry must come after any valid subdomain VirtualHost entries you may have. So if you already have another subdomain on that same account, then make sure this entry come after the subdomain’s entry.
Then you are really finally done!
You can login now and start whipping out blogs. Remember your password is sent to the email address you specified.
So.. installing WordPress MU is not as easy as the walk in the park right? At least not for me! But just imagine what you could do when you know you can create blogs on the fly, on your own domain! 
Give me more time to fiddle with WPMU, and I’ll tell you more.
Oh… If anyone with access to a httpd.conf could provide details on the part to add the VirtualHost record, then it’ll be wonderful!
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November 7th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Visit Shi Hengcheong
Great Job!
Your detailed description will save me lots of time experimenting with the DNS settings and possibly screwing up the servers.
I will try to install Wordpress MU on a GoDaddy hosting account and see which options it allows. GoDaddy doesn’t use CPanel and I think it’ll be a real challenge to get their support people to do all those http.conf stuff!
Let’s see.
November 7th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Visit Kian Ann
I haven’t had the opportunity to use GoDaddy’s hosting. Maybe I should try one day to check out the server admin system. Heh.
November 8th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
Visit Shi Hengcheong
Hosayliaolah!
I got Wordpress MU working on GoDaddy shared hosting without asking the support to change anything. It just work beautifully out-of-the-box! This is how what I did.
1. Log in to the hosting control and editing the DNS. Just at the asterisk and the IP to the server.
2. Set up the MySQl database.
3. Upload the Wordpress MU files. NO NEED to edit any configuration.
4. Enter the url to the domain you’ve uploaded the files and enter appropriate values.
5. Hit submit. Wait for email confirmation. Get password to log in. So simple.
The people that created Wordpress MU are really fantastic!
Now I have 100G space and 1000G transfer to blog until drop!
November 9th, 2006 at 1:25 am
Visit Kian Ann
Congratulations!
Now you can offer blogging solutions to your workshop participants!
November 14th, 2006 at 5:57 am
Visit Simon
Hello, finally some easy instructions!
Two questions though:
1: in step 5 where it asks me the domain (”example.com”) do I have to put mydomain.com OR “subdomain.mydomain.com” ?
2: in the case I want to use subdirectory, do i have to set something in whm or httpd.conf ?
Thank you.
Simon
November 14th, 2006 at 8:22 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Simon,
If you want to have blogs like “blog1.yourdomain.com”, “blog2.yourdomain.com”… just enter “yourdomain.com” in step 5.
Yeah, if you use subdirectory, there is no need to amend the httpd.conf or WHM at all, just install (i.e finish step 5 and you are done :P)
Hope that helps!
November 29th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Visit Reversearp
Great explanation thanks. I am stuck at receiving the initial admin password via email. I have tried different addresses and I am 100% it is not a spam issue. Any ideas?
I wound up changing the password in the database itself but I’d like to get the email up and running.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Reversearp,
Frankly, I don’t know why it happens this way, but what I can advise is to try sending a mail to yourself from your blog’s domain.
I will drop you a mail with the script.. just upload it and just visit the page. See if it works first, that’ll isolate the problem.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Reversearp,
I think I will post the script here instead, for future reference…
1. Open notepad
2. Copy and paste the following:
<?php mail("you@yourdomain.com", "test subject", "this is the test message" ?>Remember to change you@yourdomain.com to your own email address.
3. Save it as testemail.php
4. Upload it to your server
5. Load the page in your browser
You should get an email. Let me know the results, so we can troubleshoot further.
November 30th, 2006 at 12:31 am
Visit James
Hi everyone,
I just install WPMU today too. Everything seems to work fine…just the same problem -> No email send out!
Ok, I received the admin email and password. Then I test out to try register a testing blog and waited for the email for 5hours+, but there is no email being send out !
At first I thought it is something wrong with server, so I use another domain to send+receive email, it works! Server is working fine, mail server is ok !
I search thru MU site at wordpress, and it seems that there are other people also facing the same issue, but there doesn’t seems to be a good solution.
Anyone has been able to overcome this error??
November 30th, 2006 at 12:41 am
Visit Kian Ann
Whoa… sounds like a serious issue if many people are facing the same issue.
Are you guys using your own domain email address? Try that too.
My guess is that someone must have been doing something nasty with Wordpress MU today (or the past few days)? I’m really not too sure.
November 30th, 2006 at 1:15 am
Visit James
Hi Kian Ann,
yes, I installed wpmu in root domain, and the email address is also a root domain. I test again to send + receive email for this email address using outlook client, it is functioning ! I can send a test email to my yahoo email, and also receive email from my yahoo account too.
…just that there is no activation email sent from WPMU !!
I just tested this :-
and it didn’t work..no email send/received
( I did change to my admin email )
My project is stuck
any kind soul kind to share a workable solution??
December 2nd, 2006 at 9:54 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hey there James. Was your issue resolved yet? My apologies I am as dumbfounded as you on this problem. I’ve also attempted searching the Codex for answers but to no avail. Do let me know ya!
December 3rd, 2006 at 4:06 am
Visit James
Hi Kian Ann
Apparently it is caused by the permission setting for “public_html” folder. It should be set to 777 ( which is needed for the installation to run thru ).
The error of email not being able to be sent out was caused by the permission setting for public_html folder which I changed back it to 750 after installatin was successful.
emm…wpmu is pretty complicated in the sense that it is using only 1 database to manage and store all user blogs. Some plugins that worked in WP blog is not compatible in wpmu version…this is getting me great headache !
I was toying with some plugins and activated in user/test account…and the whole site just went blank ! yes…just a Blank Page when it load, inclusive the main site ! I had to delete off the plugins via FTP to bring the site back. This is no good! Without those great plugins, users will not be much happier
In the meantime, I am still digging more into how to develop/customize the WP plugins to make them compatible in WPMU version. The problem is…I am not a programmer
I didn’t study computing or programming during school time 
emm…
James…more headache !
December 3rd, 2006 at 5:43 am
Visit Kian Ann
Thanks for the update James. For myself, I still can’t find the time to play with WPMU as much as I want to… need to secure my ricebowl first
I’m sure there will be further development in WPMU support - with all the wiget-ty things going on. i don’t like widgets, I like control.. but that’s not what people like generally.
December 3rd, 2006 at 6:38 pm
Visit James
Halo Kian Ann !:)
Oppss…I thought you are running your own biz venture?? So you are your own boss, still gotta worry about rice bowl ??:P
I have spend too much time (nearly 1week) toying with WPMU but too much headache for myself
. I guess it’s time to move on and navigate another blogging platform !
Oh well, time is too precious for us who live in little red dot land right?? Yup, we are from same land
I jst found out after browsing thru your other site.
Thumb up for entreprenuer like you
December 3rd, 2006 at 9:05 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Wah okay! Good… now can talk Singlish! haha! I’m in the “still struggling” stage lar, so thumbs up for me only when I succeed ya!
Anyway, so far WPMU has been the only free system I see that let you set up multiple blogs on your server, and after these months, I think WP is one of the more commonly used platforms out there
December 21st, 2006 at 2:18 am
Visit How do i create additional blogs on wordpress - Page 2 - Easy Wordpress Forum
[...] You may want to consider using wordpress MU. The installation is a little more complicated though - I have it blogged down here. [...]
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:40 am
Visit Stop, Start and Continue: What will you do in 2007?
[...] Posting how-to guides like the guide on installing WPMU on CPanel Servers, since I have the technical knowledge to do so. [...]
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 am
Visit Sawhney89
Can someone help me? I am a senior in high school and helping to run a non-profit newspaper organization. The previous editor who set-up WP on the root directory left the team and I do not want to screw it up. That is why I need help installing WPMU on a subdirectory and linking them to blogs such as blog.mydomain.com (top level domain)
I think I have setup MU successfully but when I create a new blog, the addy does not work.
The paper a non-profit high school newspaper and are not looking to seek revenue on this project. Just some help
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:07 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Sawhney89,
The reason (probably) why the addresses did not work is because the wildcard DNS settings are not set. Have you set up the wildcard DNS settings yet?
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
Visit Sawhney89
According to ASO help — they said they did it. Is there a way to check?
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:11 am
Visit Sawhney89
Do you think you could help me out? The original editor left and since they think I am a “techie,” I have been left to the project and I am at the point of desperate.
According to the WP forums there is a way to edit the file to make blog addresses on the top level domain even when you install it on a subdomain. I just do not want to mess up my existing WP on the root – it is the core of our newspaper.
I am willing to pay a little bit of money and give you access information. I just really need some help. I apologize for my attitude and appreciate any help I can receive.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:52 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Sawhney89,
I’d love to help, but it would not be this week - really kinda busy this week. What about mid week next week?
I am also not very familiar with the kind of installation of WPMU that you need to do, so I will need time to research too.
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Visit James
Hi Sawhney89,
well…is your site totally new or already have some data ??
For your info, I run free hosting service, and doing my some little part for educational site too . Meaning, free hosting for educational site. And I can help to set up the WPMU for you.
The main help from you is to point your domain to my server, ad I can setup an account for your with WPMU ready.
You can sent more information on how you want it to my admin email address at vbloge dot com
James
PS :- for general info on my free hosting service , visit one of my other site at http://juztalk.com
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Thanks James, it would be great if you could help Sawhney89… however, I think he already has a WP installation on his site, and he wants an MU installation over his current one.
Any idea how to get it done?
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:04 am
Visit James
Hi Kian Ann,
emmm…that could be conflict if he already has WP installation on his site, right ?! coz standard WP is just for single user, and WPMU would be using the database for all users.
If he want the WPMU to have user1.site(dot)com, and so on, the I believe he’ll need to have the WPMU install into the root domain. And this mean over-riding exiting standard WP installation ( if he install his WP in the root domain ).
emm, what’s his site anyway?? Let’s see if he is willing to let go his current WP installation and over-ride it with WPMU, and then start afresh ??
Of course there could be another option of moving the current WP to a sub-folder, but I didn’t try this way before. Not sure how would it become .
James
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:09 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hey James,
I’ll drop him a mail so that we can work it out yah… Unfortunately I do not know much of the details too.
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 am
Visit Sawhney89
I have WP set-up on the root. However, the editor who setup WP left and consequently I am left with the site and minimal knowledge. I do not want to override the root WP because it is the core of the website. I currently have WPMU setup on my domain and just waiting for the DNS to get updated.
Right now when I create a blog it is http://www.blog.subdomain.domain.com According to the WP forums, there is a way to edit the PHP file and make the blog: blog.domain.com while it is installed on the sub domain and will not affect the root WP.
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:45 am
Visit James
Hi Sawhney89,
emm…I didn’t this option before that having WPMU on sub-domain + users account in sub-domain too, while leaving the standard WP in root domain.
Maybe you could help point me to the WP forum that at least give some guides on how to do it, and let me study it.
I have my own server with root access, and could setup wildcat for your domain on my server.
Or since you already had both the WP + WPMU installed, wouldn’t it solved your problems already ??! ( if I read it right )
James
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:59 am
Visit Gautam Sawhney
My problems are semi-solved. I just need help installing a few plug-ins and reverts the domain addresses from blog.subdomain.domain.com to blog.domain.com while keeping the root WP intact.
WP Forum: http://mu.wordpress.org/forums/topic.php?id=3154
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:08 am
Visit James
Hi Sawhney,
emmm..glad to hear that it’s half way solved.
Ok, just to note that not all plugins are compatible with WPMU version.
I look thru the support forum :-
“install the primary blog on a subdomain, and then hack the registration code/functions to set the primary domain as domain.com vice username.sub.domain.com.”
emm…it requires some coding/hack which I am too poor in. In most case, I just install ready made script without much modifications. My apology for not being able to help solve your coding/hack problem.
My thought was you need help to install WPMU, sorry I didn’t read it right in the first instance.
James
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:52 am
Visit Gautam Sawhney
Do you know anyone who could assist me?
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Visit Gautam Sawhney
James
Do you think you could help me install a few plug-ins and hacks for WPMU?
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Visit James
Hi Sawhney,
well, actually it is very simple to “install” plugin for WPMU, which is similiar to installing plugin for standard WP. Just upload those files into the correct folder(s), and then “click” to activate it in your admin section, which is just like standard WP plugin.
Just to note, not all WP plugins are compatible in WPMU version.
Nevertheless, if you are still facing problem in trying to install whatever files/scripts that you need ( and in future too ), you can actually ask your host to do it for you too. That’s the beauty of being a “client/customer” isn’t it ?!
This would be the safer option instead of releasing your access info to some other people like me, just for pre-caution. Well, better be safe than sorry
No worry about “what if” your host don’t help. You’ll be surprise as to how helpful your host could actually be! If they don’t do it for you for some reasons, they are likely to give you some guides/info as to how to do it at your end. This way, you could actually pick up the knowledge along the way, which benefit yourself in the long run.
Take myself as example, I learn from this route too. Whenever my members need something that I am un-sure of, even though it could be very simple, I’ll simply ask my Data Center to do it for me or guide me thru.
Yes, it might take me sometimes to finally get it done, but hey…I learnt it ! That’s how everyone started initially right ?? One small step at a time
James
January 24th, 2007 at 12:40 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Gautam,
Let me do some research tomorrow afternoon and see what I can do for you ya? I will test it out on my own installation of WPMU first
Sorry, but I’m quite new to MU, so I don’t want to risk messing your installation up until I am certain of what I am doing 
Update you via email again tomorrow night.
February 16th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Visit Servermode… » Blog Archive » Wordpress Mu Nightmare
[...] Installing WordPress MU on a CPanel/WHM Server [...]
February 16th, 2007 at 2:01 am
Visit cookie
The real key to these instructions is the line which shows
ServerAlias bloggingiscool.com *.bloggingiscool.com
Basically the Worpress MU instructions indicate that you need to replace domain.com with *.domain.com instead of appending it, like the instructions here indicate.
After, I appended the *.bloggingiscool.com (I used my own domain) Worpress MU finally started working for me after HOURS of toying around with httpd.conf, and .htaccess.
I originally chose wordpress because of the functionality and the ease of use/install. But after installing it, I can say that it is very very difficult to get working in the manner in which I wanted to use it.
February 16th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Visit Kian Ann
Thanks Cookie, I think WordPress is still easy to install - Of course, nothing beats Blogger.com in setting up, but wait till you try MovableType!
February 18th, 2007 at 2:06 am
Visit jeremy
hi,
in this tutorial is it required to have a dedicated IP, or will this work with shared IPs?
im trying to set up MU on a shared hosting account with domains all using the same IP..
thanks!
February 18th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Jeremy,
I am using a shared IP server
so shouldn’t be a problem for you.
March 13th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Visit Chandran
Hi,
I have a doubt. If I am installing it as a domain and if I want the url like http://blogname.domainname.com is that necessary it must be installed as a subdomain?
Regards
K.Chandran
March 13th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Chandran,
Yes, the configuration http://blogname.domainname.com is what we call as subdomain. (i.e. the “blogname” part is the subdomain)
It is just like any blogspot address - they are all subdomains of blogspot.com
April 7th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
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May 22nd, 2007 at 3:40 am
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[...] the FEFC webserver to parse wildcard subdomains. (To do this, see Tan Kian Ann’s tutorial for Setting Up WordPress MU and Wildcard Subdomains on a CPanel/WHM Webserver.) This type of configuration allows the FEFC admin to create a new “website” for a [...]
May 29th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
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June 13th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Visit Vikas
Do you know where can I get info of installing it in a subdirectory
http://www.domain.com/blog [for example]
if so, where can I have the subdomains / can I set it to run like
http://www.domain.com/blog/blogname
Please do guide me on this.
Thanks
June 14th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Visit Kian Ann
hi Vikas!
See the step 5 above? There are two options, one to install it as subdomains, and another to install it as subdirectories. Use the second option.
Do let me know if you need more help!
June 14th, 2007 at 2:00 am
Visit Vikas
Thanks for the info but I did install it in a directory on my domain but when I create a blog it says I can access at
blogname.domainname.com/blog
But it does not run
What do I need to do ?
Its on a dedicated server and I have WHM access [don't know if that info is reqd or not but just mentioning the same over here]
Please let me know
Thanks for taking the time to answer this
June 14th, 2007 at 2:14 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Vikas!
if it says that you need to access the blog at blogname.domainname.com/blog, you probably chose the subdomain setting
what you need to do now, is to go into your CPanel backend, delete and recreate the database.
Then run the same install, and choose the sub-directory option.
Still have problems - contact me thru skype (tan_kian_ann) and I’ll see how I can help!
June 24th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Visit Blogostan
Hi,
I set up my WP MU exactly as described but can’t make subdomains work.
I’ve been told wildcard DNS is on but I can’t access any blogs on my site [except the main page]
By the way - does WP MU create “real” subdomains [1] or is it just redirecting requests to subdirectories [2]? The reason I’m asking is because I can’t find any subdomains that would be created if the point 1 is correct.
Regards
June 25th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hey there Blogostan,
From what I know, no real subdomains are created, and neither are there any subdirectories. The only reason why we needed to create wildcard DNS is because WPMU uses mod_rewrite rules to determine which blog you are referring to.
This means, the installation of WPMU actually reads the whole blog address and uses that to query the correct posts from the same one database.
June 25th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Visit Blogostan
Hi Kian,
Thanks for prompt reply - that explains lack of any actual subdomains/subdirectories.
But what about those 404s I’m getting while trying to access someblog.blogostan.org? Any idea what might be the problem here? Of course assuming both wildcard dns and mod_rewrite are working - or maybe they aren’t?
June 26th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Blogostan!
That could be the case that your wildcard DNS is not working. i.e. the webhost still looks for the subdomain and finds it missing?
June 26th, 2007 at 2:32 am
Visit Blogostan
Hi Kian,
How can I check this? Obviously my webhost is assuring me wildcard DNS is set [I've heard it at least twice], so there must be some fault on my side.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:39 am
Visit James
Hi Blogostan,
Apart from the 404, are there any other error message that you face ??
Check some of the possible area :-
1. Your .htaccess file
2. Your CNAME setting
3. Your domain vhost setup by your host
I faced similiar situation before. In my case, the wildcard subdomain setting was properly setup. But to my puzzle, it was the CNAME setting that I left out. I don’t quite understand about the CNAME, but after I set it up, all my WPMU installation works.
Just some note.
James
June 26th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Visit Blogostan
First of all - thank you for your interest.
As of other errors with the script - I can’t say much about it, 404 error is all I got.
I’ve made a test and installed script on 2nd domain/different host http://www.blogostan.info - I have the same error there. I suppose, I’ve made twice the same simple, obvious mistake. Have no idea how.
June 29th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Visit James
From the above guide :-
=> Log in to your WHM account. On the left, find and click “Edit DNS Zone”.
=> Create a new entry after “Add New Entries Below this Line”.
after that, add these :-
For the first column => *
For the second column => 14400
For the third column => select CNAME
For the last/4th column => blogostan.info. ( remember to put a “.” after your domain name )
Good luck, and don’t stop trying till you made it
james
July 10th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Visit Ian
Hi,
I’ve been reading webpages on this for many hours. I’m a novice, but I’ve come to understand a couple of things: 1) It all depends on whether your host will allow a modification of the httpd.conf file. Mine doesn’t; 2) If you have subdomains that resolve to the same IP, you basically have wildcard DNS already, so shouldn’t take as an excuse from your host that they don’t allow wildcard DNS.
I’m not entirely sure my understanding is correct, but basically my host is saying no to both. It appears my only choice is to go with subdirectories (which I don’t want to do), or find a new host.
Would this understanding more or less be correct?
Thanks for your great work in putting together this instructional post!
best,
ian
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Visit Alex
Hi, Ian…
looks like we got the same problem over here: No modification of httpd.conf allowed. Everything’s fine except that one. I have wildcard DNS already, and I put CNAME rather than A. But everything’s messed up
The only choice if have is to got with subdirectories for these time. Maybe nextime I will try harder to make subdomain works.
But, if you dont want to use subdirectories, that’s right… your only choice is to find a new host.
I’ve tried another way, such as toying with my .httaccess… but no one seems to work
but wtf? at least, I have something to give to my community? If you or I can find another way to move to subdomains, it’d be easy to import old blogs, rite?
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Ian and Alex,
Ian, sorry for the long lapse - yeah, I guess the only way to get it all done is thru a modification of the httpd.conf.
What did your host say about not allowing that? Security issues? Or are they just plain stubborn and lazy to do it for you?
August 8th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Visit Rols
Almost worked for me. I run a VPS with WHM/cPanel so I have access to httpd.conf.
Everything was set up but it didn’t quite work. In the end, the hosting guys put the server aliases on a seperate line a la:
ServerAlias bloggingiscool.com
ServerAlias *.bloggingiscool.com
Which seemed to make all the difference.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Visit Keith
Hi Kian Ann,
I installed MU onto 4 sites and they are not working properly. I sent this link to my hosting company and they set up steps 6 & 7. However, the site isn’t working properly. What I mean is,I created everything and it all worked fine. I launched the site and it got screwed up. The problem is that if you click on the New Blogs from the Main Page, the screen doesn’t change but the domain name does. I got a copy of the set up for one site and everything looks good. I was wondering if you can double check it to see if you find the problem. Thanks in advance.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Visit cinisr
hi,
When i try to install worpressMU it says error “Warning!
Installing to http://localhost/ is not supported. Please use http://localhost.localdomain/ instead.”
what should we do for that. is it necessary to change the wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php??? Pls help me
Cini
August 9th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Visit cinisr
hi, how can we install it in localhost???
August 9th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Visit cinisr
hi,
Followed is the location were i had saved the file W:/www/wordpress-mu/wordpressmu. So how should i write “$base = ‘BASE’;”
Can you make it more clear
August 10th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Keith and Cinisr,
Thanks for your queries - and I really hope I can help, but apparantly I am not so well versed in the workings of all the server stuff myself. I just managed to get it working thru the steps above, and so I thought I would document it down.
Cinisr, WordPress MU works by rewriting the URL - and I really don’t know if it is possible to put it on a localhost, and like what you were challenged with, how do you define a subdomain, if your domain is “localhost”?
I suspect that implementing this might use some tweaking in the Windows host file (that was in Win98 times, I’ve not touched that for years)
Keith,
What I can recommend is to try installing on subdirectories first, if it works, then try subdomains. At least, by doing that, you can be sure that you have got every step right
August 10th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Visit Keith
I’m simply trying to do what you did. Perhaps there is a mistake in there that the Host and I are not finding. I took the site live already so I don’t know what to do now.
August 11th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Visit cinisr
hi,
Thanks for valuable reply, after that i tried with subdomain and it installed but later i found it send an activation email, but how can i send or receive if am working in a localhost. is there any way by usinf SMTP?
Expecting your valuable reply
cinisr
August 11th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Visit cinisr
hi,
pls help me………
now i had installed wordpressmu in server but it says that the password and user id will be send by mail for that i had given my email id also but i did’t get any mail. is there any thing more to do after installation to get the password.
with anticipation
cinisr
August 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Visit putu
dear all,
I successfully install wpMu on my site, but the thing is that the first page dissatisfied me. i would like the first page consist of compilation of the the sub-directories blog which mas made by different users ( kind a like an aggregator site ). How could I do that ?
thank you
August 26th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Visit Clay Burell
Kian Ann, this tutorial worked ALMOST perfectly for me, so I thank you heartily for that
To help others who might bump into my problem with cPanel and your instructions, here’s my tip:
My cPanel already had an .htaccess file on public_html, so the WPMU installer told me to delete it (this was on the same first screen as appears in your Step 3).
I deleted it, but cPanel just replaced it with a new .htaccess file - it wouldn’t let me delete it, in other words!
So I was stuck.
Until I found this workaround: click on public_html/.htaccess link, click “change permissions” in the upper right options box, then click all boxes (this will change permissions from 644 to 777). Save.
Then the install will work. It just writes to the existing .htaccess file, since you gave it permission to with that last step.
Now my question is: do I change the permissions for .htaccess back to 644, or what? That’s what I’ve done, on a hunch (doesn’t seem like we’d want “the group” or “the world” to be able to “write” on this file, though I’m not sure!).
I’ll get back to you when my server tells me what the permanent settings for .htaccess permissions should be (unless one of you with a working install can check, and tell us what your permissions for this file are!).
I’ll add this: I had to ask my server support to modify httpd.conf, and gave them the input per Kian Ann’s intstructions, and they did it quickly.
So everything seems fine now.
I haven’t checked the email functions, so I’ll get back to you about that too, if I discover anything wrong or valuable.
Again, great job!
August 27th, 2007 at 2:32 am
Visit Clay Burell
Re: my earlier comment, FYI:
If you run into the .htaccess permissions problem (having to change them from 644 to 777 on cPanel to get the install to work), I heard from drmike on WPMU forums that the permissions should be changed back to 644 after the install is done.
My little part
August 30th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Visit cinisr
i am in a big problem. i had installed wordpressmu in my system and it is working fine in localhost as well in server. Later i made some modification and uploaded the whole file and it is working fine in localhost but after that when we try to login thruough server it shows warning “”Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by “”.
Pls help me. i am in a halt situation.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hey Clay, thanks for the looooong comment - sorry i didn’t reply to your comment as quickly as I wished. Hope your installation is going fine now. Yep, the .htaccess should be set at 644 preferably.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Cinisr,
What did you change? That warning shows that you returned a response to the browser, and then after that try to modify the headers.
It could be something you put before a PHP header() function somewhere.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Visit cinisr
hi,
thanks a lot. it worked. Now i wish to add some plugins like audio and video uploading. in video uploading it should convert to flv format and player is fix in the blog itself. which player is good for this??? and is php code available for these all functions??? if so, can u send its link or helps which i can get it.
Once again thanking u……..
September 1st, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Visit Clay Burell
Cinisr, the Anarchy Media Player is popular for embedding flash and video. You can find the plugin here.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Visit cinisr
hi ,
as you said i had downloaded Anarchy Media Player, but it is not able to edit. After activating plugins when i try to Edit it shows error “The plugin editor is disabled”. Can anybody help why it happens? or is it necessary to make any more modifications in blog. If there is any brief installation procedure pls send its link. with anticipation
September 4th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Visit Clay Burell
Cinisr, what version of WPMU are you running? 1.2.4?
Did you install it in the mu-plugins directory, or the “plugins” one. (It should be in mu-plugins.)
In your dashboard, go to OPTIONS > ANARCHY and check your settings.
Also check MY PROFILE and click “Use the visual editor when writing” (it’s a weird place for that to be, isn’t it?).
Save all, log out and back in, and if that doesn’t work, reply here. Good luck
September 5th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Visit cinisr
hi,
Thanks, I used to clear my doubts through this blog even from the beginning of my project and am getting good and helpful response for my doubts, Thanks for all support.
But still it is not working. It is wordpress-mu-1.2.3 downloaded from net.
When installed plugins in mu-plugins directory it was not working but when i put in plugins directory it showed an option for activation and deactivation. Still i am confused to continue and how it will get displayed visually.
It is already checked “Use the visual editor when writing” in MY PROFILE and also checked “Menu Enabled” in Site Admin > Options.
In dashboard, I was not able to see this link => OPTIONS > ANARCHY
September 5th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Visit Clay Burell
Hi Cinisr,
I remember having to experiment a lot to finally get the plugin working too, so you’re not alone.
I think this should do the trick:
The Anarchy_media directory should be in
/ public_html / wp-content / mu-plugins /
And that still won’t work. So do this:
COPY the anarchy_media_player.php file from the anarchy_media directory, and paste it into the mu-plugins folder.
Then try it. You might need to log out of MU and log back in, and/or uncheck and recheck the “use rich text editor” in “my profile.”
That’s how my cPanel is set up, and it works for me.
Let me know if you need more help.
Clay
September 5th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Visit cinisr
hi Clay , can you tell me the blog which use these plugins, just to see how it works?
September 5th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Visit Clay Burell
Here’s a student blog, and here’s another.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Visit cinisr
i did’t get you.
i put Anarchy_media in /wp-content/plugins/ because when i put it in mu-plugins it is not coming under plugin menu to activate or deactivate.
can you tell some blogs which use these plugins, just to see how it works?
Is there any problem on using wordpress-mu-1.2.3?
same way i need one more help. is there any php code for getting information about a audio or video file like who sung it , from which album like that?
i wish to make my blog working
September 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Visit Clay Burell
cinisr, you have to put it in the mu-plugins folder. That folder is for plugins you want installed on every blog in MU. It’s automatically activated from mu-plugins, so you don’t see it in the plugins menu.
The content/plugins directory is for plugins you want to make optional, not automatic.
Take me word for it.
I can’t help you on the php question, sorry.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Visit Happy Bloggy Birthday, Blogopreneur!
[...] The past one year has be exhilirating - 294 posts (that’s not a lot actually, compared to some people I have in my blogroll), 1421 comments… and the most popular post being the one on the Installation of WordPress MU on a CPanel Server. [...]
September 9th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Visit dennis
Can MU be installed in an addon domain? I have 2 addon domains to my hostgator account and want to put MU in one of my addon domains: addondomain.com/listings and then have each blog that is created by blogcreated.addondomain.com.
Is this possible? and will it work?
September 9th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Visit dennis
One thing to add to last post. WP is installed in root and also in addon domain#1.
September 10th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Visit leo chirackal
hi
This blog was very useful for me on installing wordpressmu. Now i wish to change the menu so that to make more user friendly. But there are some conditions on displaying those menu. Is there any code for making it in a dropdown model.
If so can anyone help me
September 10th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Visit leo chirackal
sorry………. i forget to say a big thanks to all who had scrapped on it and especially to Tan Kian Ann.
September 10th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Visit cinisr
hi Clay,
Thanks for your valuable help. I got it working. I think this software will only support those audio/video files that are in server.
If we want to upload audio/video is there any facility to upload and store files in Wordpressmu.
I think for this we have to create some table to store its path and all.
If u have idea about it please elaborate it to me. Then it will be more helpful for me
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:03 am
Visit n00bie Challenge - Page 2 - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum - Internet Marketing Webmaster SEO Forum
[...] are more technical and have access to both those items, here is a great installation walkthrough: Installing WordPress MU on a CPanel/WHM Server Again, let me reiterate, the purpose of this challenge is to get people doing something. If you’ve [...]
October 31st, 2007 at 6:55 am
Visit Rich
I’m having trouble setting this up at the moment - when I get to step 5 and click “submit” I get the following error :
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: wp_die() in /wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 475
Any ideas anyone? Please?! Doesn’t seem to matter if I want it in subdomain or directories - same error message.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:09 am
Visit rss scraping and ‘auto blogging’ - Page 3 - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum - Internet Marketing Webmaster SEO Forum
[...] one file but it shouldn’t take long for a reply. I’ve set up two of my domains via this method. Installing WordPress MU on a CPanel/WHM Server - Blogopreneur.com WP MU is pretty impressive. Only have to install theme/plugins once then you have access to them [...]
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Visit Malik
GREAT..! This info is so good. I wasted 3 hours searching on Wordpress mu site for this solution but there was nothing like this…
If the wordpress guys are reading this THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING GOOD like this to solve this issue..
Thanks again man
December 10th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Visit WP auto/mass installer? - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum - Internet Marketing Webmaster SEO Forum
[...] seems to have trouble with it, so I didn’t go that route. Is there a walk-through anywhere? Installing WordPress MU on a CPanel/WHM Server - Blogopreneur.com __________________ $25 Credit @ Yahoo Search My COPEAC beat up your affiliate network. And I’m [...]
December 17th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Visit Chris
Hi,
I am running WPMU 1.3 and it does not send the activation mail to new users. Setting public_html to 777 did not solve the problem.
I am running 2 WPMU sites on the same host and both have the same problem.
Any ideas?
Chris
December 20th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Visit Anime Girl
Thanks so much for doing this Tutorial! You saved my butt.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:47 am
Visit Help Installing Wordpress MU on Subdomains using Plesk! - Affiliate Marketing
[...] The best walkthrough I’ve found (although it talks of cpanel it might be useful to you) is at This Site. I know this is suitabily vague as I did it a month or so ago but if you think I can be of use let [...]