Hosting BuddyPress and WPMU

Reading all the blogs and forums about installing WPMU and Buddypress, it seems that there are some particular challenges when setting up a WordPress Multi-user script.

WordPress MU DNS settings

To run each member’s site on it’s own sub-domain

Most hosts run on Apache Version 2.0 and here the creation of the Wildcard DNS entry does not require WHM access. Loading the cPanel x3 theme will do the trick: in x3 just create a sub-domain called “*” (without the quotes) and the problem is solved. If you run on Apache Version 1, just follow the instructions on the MU read-me file as well as Matt’s comments on his blog.

Tun run member sites in sub folders

There is no need to worry about the DNS settings.

BuddyPress Hosting Issues

We have not detected any particular hosting problems here: to run a straight forward Buddy Press on MU without too many gimmicks and plug-ins should be possible on most any host. We use ChiHosters where we can provide users with the necessary assistance. For a small set-up, the standard unlimited hosting account at $35 per year will do -in theory.

Practically we encounter memory problems as soon as we go into more sophistication, such as Video Comments or other interesting features or more complex themes.

On our installation at YORGOO Media server settings are tweaked to 64MB of memory, instead of the more common 8, 16 or 32 MB on shared hosts.

Our tests should return detailed data on the actual needs. ChiHosters will provide scalable solutions in the near future.

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