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1 Step 0: Before You Begin

2 Step 1: Prepare Your WordPress

Create A Network

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As of WordPress 3.0, you have the ability to create a network of sites by using the multisite feature. This article contains instructions

for creating a multisite network.

A multisite network can be very similar to your own personal version of WordPress.com. End users of your network can create their

own sites on demand, just like end users of WordPress.com can create blogs on demand. If you do not have any need to allow end

users to create their own sites on demand, you can create a multisite network in which only you, the administrator, can add new

sites.

A multisite network is a collection of sites that all share the same WordPress installation. They can also share plugins and themes.

The individual sites in the network are virtual sites in the sense that they do not have their own directories on your server, although

they do have separate directories for media uploads within the shared installation, and they do have separate tables in the database.

NOTE: If you are currently running WordPress MU, you do not need to complete these steps. your network is already enabled.

Once you upgrade to the 3.x branch, you will be prompted to update your .htaccess rules for MultiSite. As of the release of

WordPress 3.1, you will need to upgrade WPMU manually. You can no longer use the auto-upgrade tool to move from WPMU to

Multisite.

NOTE: Upgraded and can't find the Network Admin menu?

Step 0: Before You Begin

Compared with a typical single WordPress installation a network installation has additional

considerations. You must decide if you want to use subdomains or subfolders and how you

want to manage them. Installing themes and plugins is different: for example, each individual

site of a network can activate both, but install neither.

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3 Step 2: Allow Multisite

4 Step 3: Installing a Netw ork

5 Step 4: Enabling the Netw ork

6 Step 5: Netw ork Admin Settings

7 Step 6: Administration

8 Related Articles

Tools Network Screen

This guide describes how to install manually WordPress Multisite in your current WordPress

installation. There are also available ready-to-run packages from BitNami.

Please read Before You Create A Network in full before continuing.

Step 1: Prepare Your WordPressYour existing WordPress site will be updated when creating a network. Unless this is a fresh

install and you have nothing to lose, please backup your database and files.

Verify that Pretty Permalinks work on your single WP instance.

Also deactivate all active plugins. You can reactivate them again after the network is created.

If you plan to run WordPress out of its own directory, do that before activating Multisite.

Step 2: Allow MultisiteTo enable the Network Setup menu item, you must first define multisite in the wp-config.php file.

Open up wp-config.php and add this line above where it says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */. If it doesn't

say that anywhere, then add the line somewhere above the first line that begins with require or include:

/* Multisite */

define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );

You will need to refresh your browser to continue.

Step 3: Installing a NetworkThe previous step enables the Network Setup item in your Tools menu. Use that menu item to go to the Create a Network of

WordPress Sites screen.

To see an example of the Create a Network of WordPress Sites screen, look at Administration >

Tools > Network Setup. The screen does not look exactly the same in all circumstances. The

example shown is for an installation on localhost, which restricts the options available.

Addresses of Sites in your Network

You are given the choice between sub-domains and sub-directories, except when existing settings

restrict your choice.

You must choose one or the other. You can reconfigure your network to use the other choice after installation, despite the advice on

the screen, but reconfiguring it might not be easy.

You only need wildcard DNS for on-demand domain-based sites, despite the advice that may be on the screen.

Once more: See Before You Create A Network.

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Tools Network Created

Sub-domains — a domain-based network in which on-demand sites use subdomains

Sub-directories — a path-based network in which on-demand sites use paths

Network Details

These are filled in automatically, but you can make changes.

Server Address

The domain of the URL you are using to access your WordPress installation.

Network Title

The title of your network as a whole.

Admin E-mail Address

Your email address as super admin of the network as a whole.

Double-check the details and press the Install button.

Note: The installer may perform a check for wildcard subdomains when you have not configured them yet, or when you do not need

them at all. Ignore the warning if it does not apply to your network. See the Server Requirements section in Before You Create A

Network for information about wildcard subdomains.

Step 4: Enabling the NetworkTo enable your network, follow the instructions on the Create a Network of WordPress Sites screen.

The instructions that you see are customized for your installation. They might not be the same as

the examples you see here.

Back up your existing wp-config.php and .htaccess files, unless this is a fresh install and you

have nothing to lose.

There are two steps:

1. Add the specified lines to your wp-config.php file

The extra lines go just after where you added the line in Step 1: Prepare Your WordPress.

2. Add the specified lines to your .htaccess file

If you do not have a .htaccess file, then create it in the same directory as your wp-config.php file.

If you ALREADY have a .htaccess file, replace any existing WP lines with these new ones.

In some cases you might also have to add Options FollowSymlinks at the start of the file.

After completing these steps, log in again using the link provided. You might have to clear your browser's cache and cookies in order

to log in.

Step 5: Network Admin Settings

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At the left of your WordPress toolbar, My Sites is now the second item. There, all your sites are listed, with handy fly-out menus, as

well as a Network Admin menu item. Under Network Admin you can use the Dashboard item to go to the Network Dashboard

screen.

Go to the Settings Screen to configure network options, and the Sites Screen to manage your sites.

For more information, see: Network Admin

Upgraded and can't find the Network Admin menu?

Step 6: AdministrationThere are some additional things you might need to know about advanced administration of the network, due to the additional

complexity of a Multisite. Even if you're familiar with WordPress, the location and behavior of Multisite Network Administration can be

confusing.

Read Multisite Network Administration for more information.

For help troubleshooting:

Debugging a WordPress Network

Migrating Multiple Blogs into WordPress 3.0 Multisite

Related ArticlesSetting up Top-Level Domains Using the Domain Mapping Plugin

Getting setup on Windows Servers

Hosting WordPress

Installing Multiple Blogs

Categories: WPMS | Network | UI Link | Hosting

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