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Creating Portals the Easy Way

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PCQ Bureau
New Update

This powerful web application framework is used for developing interactive

websites for Intranet and Internet and can be used to develop multiple websites.

Creation of portals using DotNetNuke does not require any programming language

skills. Using this application, one can manage content, host sites, customize

security and design sites using simple browser based tools. DotNetNuke enables

content to be tailored depending on role. Modular design of this framework

enables addition of skins, modules and files required for customization of

portals. One more reason to use this solution is the extensive support provided

by the DotNetNuke core team of developers. DotNetNuke is developed using Windows

technologies and requires Windows Internet Information Services and SQL Server

for deployment.

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Implementation



Let's deploy DotNetNuke on a machine with Windows Vista ultimate. Start with

downloading 'DotNetNu ke 04.09.01_Install.zip' file from www.dotnetnuke.com by

registering yourself. In this implementation, we used 'Install Package'. Now

create a database in SQL server. We have used SQL Server 2008 Express Edition

from this month's DVD. Simply start SQL Server Management Studio and connect to

database. Now in object explorer window, right click on 'Database' node and

create new database. DotNetNuke needs IIS server, so turn on IIS server on

yourVista machine. To do this, click on Start>Control Panel>Programs and

Features, and on the left hand side click on 'Turn Windows Feature on or off '

and from the tree, select 'Internet Information Services' and click on 'OK'.

Once IIS is turned on, you can configure it from 'Control Panel> Administrative

Tools>Internet Information Services(IIS) Manager'. Unzip downloaded package to

'C:\inetpub\www root\Dotnetnuke _sandeep' folder. Now right click on this folder

and go to Properties .Click on 'Security' tab and click on 'Edit' button under

'Group or user names' and add 'NETWORK SERVICE' giving it 'Full Control'. Final

step is to configure IIS. Go to IIS Manager as directed above and expand the

'Sites' node from tree on left hand side. Right click on 'Default Web Site' and

click on 'Add Application' and add 'Physical path' as 'C:\inetpu b\wwwroot\

Dotnetnuke_sandeep' with 'Application pool' as 'DefaultAppPool'. After doing all

the above configurations, it's time to install DotNetNuke.

Open IIS Manager

from 'Control Panel>Administrative Tools' and right click on 'Default Web

Site' and click on 'Add Applicatio and add path where DotNetNuke is

extracted as shown.

Visit 'localhost/Dotnetduke _sandeep' to start installation wizard that

involves seven simple steps. First step involves selection of installation type

plus installation language. We have used 'Typical' installation method and

English as installation language. DotNetNuke involves file upload for content,

modules and skins which in turn requires security settings for creation and

removal of files from web site. In the second step these file permission

settings are tested. Third step involves configuration of database connection

followed by its testing. Installation scripts are run in the fourth step of

installation wizard. Fifth and sixth step involve setting up of 'Host User' and

'Administrator' account along with 'Portal Properties'. Host User is a super

user that has access to all the portals created on the site. On the other hand,

administrator has access to all the functionalities of the portal.

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To add pages to a

website login using administrator settings, and for adding portals login

using host settings created during installation of DotNetNuke. Click on the

appropriate tabs as displayed.

After configuration and installation visit 'localhost/Dotnet nuke_ sandeep'

to get the feel of the web site you have just created. Login using user name and

password created during installation and start creating content of the portal

using tabs provided on the top ('ADMIN' or 'HOST').

Click on 'Add'

button under 'Page Functions' to add pages to porta. Middle window of

control panel is for adding and placing 'Modules' on the page.

Let's build a simple website using this framework. Login using administrator

credentials. On the top, there is the control panel that can be used for adding

content and customizing layout. Click on 'Add' button under 'Page Functions' to

add pages to portal. Middle window of control panel is for adding 'Modules' and

placing them on the page. Once you have decided on module and position, simply

click on 'Add' button. For example, we have added 'Account Login' module in 'RightPane'

and 'Text/ HTML' module in 'ContentPane' in 'PCQUEST' page. Besides page

creation, one can also customize number of settings like Security Roles, Site

Log etc by clicking on 'ADMIN' tab. One can also change setting of individual

modules by clicking on dropdown menu.

As mentioned in the beginning, one can create multiple portals using

DotNetNuke. This can be accomplished by logging in using host credentials. This

will bring up 'HOST' tab on the top. Click on this tab and click on 'Portals>Add

new portal'. One can add new portal as child of existing portal or as parent

portal. For parent portal, there is a need for adding new 'Portal Alias'. Fill

in the details along with security setting and click on 'Create Portal' at the

bottom. Once a portal is created, simply visit the address defined in alias and

you are done.

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