Setting up a new project / website
Before you begin - prerequisites
In order to run a PowerNodes website in your development environment it requires:
IIS (Internet Information Server)
.Net Framework 1.1
Code editor (Visual Studio, Dreamweaver, Homesite, Notepad etc)
Installing IIS on a Windows XP
The IIS is an optional feature on Windows XP and can be installed from the Windows XP CD-ROM
under the Windows optional components. The ISS can be accessed from the Administrative Tools
in the Control Panel in Windows XP.
NOTE: If you have installed the .Net Framework before installing the IIS it is required to register the
.Net Framework again. In MS-DOS Prompt window, type:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.Net\Framework\V1.1.43221\aspnet_reg.iss –i
Installing the .Net Framework
If you have not yet installed the .Net Framework this can be downloaded by using Windows Update
or by browsing to Microsoft’s Website
The main steps of this tutorial
The main steps
1. Downloading and installing the current version of PowerNodes CMS
2. Creating a website/virtual directory
3. Deployment of the required files into the website root
4. Creating and preparing a database
5. Connecting with FrontDesk
The example computer configuration:
Windows XP Professional
Internet Information Server 5.1
.Net Framework 1.1 with Service Pack 1
Microsoft Access
Required files for this demo can be located at
http://www.powernodes.com
NOTE: To run the PowerNodes program without a license it can only run on the localhost
Downloading and installing PowerNodes CMS
Developers need to have the latest version of PowerNodes CMS installed. If the PowerNodes CMS
has already been installed the application must be removed in the Control Panel > Add/Remove
Programs.
To download and install the latest version of PowerNodes CMS
1. Navigate to http://archive.powernodes.com and download the latest version
2. Save the program to a local destination
3. Run the setup file
4. Use the default installation settings
Creating the virtual directory in the Internet Information Server
1. Create a new directory in the IIS wwwroot called demosite c:\Inetpub\wwwroot\demosite
2. Point the Default Website to this location by changing the Home Directory in the properties
of the default website.
Deployment of the required files into the website root
PowerNodes requires different files to run – these can be downloaded at www.powernodes.com
Adjusting the default files
When the default files have been deployed it is necessary to adjust the following items
Bin folder
Web.config
Bin folder
The bin folder should contain the current version of the PowerNodes application dll’s. These can
be located in the PowerNodes program folder (C:\Program Files\PowerNodes\Web Assemblies\)
Copy all the dll’s in this folder to the bin folder C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\demosite\bin
Web.config settings
It is not the purpose of this example to explain all the content of the web.config file. For further
information of the different settings please refer to the PowerNodes manual.
The following changes needs to be done in the web.config file
The database connection
The remote channel
Adjust the settings marked with red in your web.config file
For more information about the required files and settings please refer to the PowerNodes Manual
Creating and preparing a database
In this example we will use an access database for the demosite project. We will use the program
AdminDesk (which can be located in Start > All Programs > PowerNodes > AdminDesk
1. Create a new access database in the project root C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\demosite\demo.mdb
2. Open AdminDesk
3. Press connect
4. Choose Connection Type: OleDb Source
5. Select Verify Schema
6. Press “Next” until the last step and then press “Apply”
7. After the Verify Schema is finished select “Load Default Data”
8. Set the Administrator password – in this example we have used the password 1234
The database has been now prepared to run a PowerNodes website. For more information about
AdminDesk please refer to the PowerNodes manual.
NOTE: When loading default data into a database all earlier data will be deleted
Connecting with FrontDesk
The basic setup should now be in place and it should now be possible to connect to the site in a
browser window. If everything is working the following text should be displayed in the browser
window.
NOTE: Security settings might make access to the database fail. In this case add give Everyone
full control rights to the database. This can be done by right clicking on the database and opening
the “Security” tab (if the Security tab is not visible then open an explorer window and choose “Tools
> Options > View” and uncheck the last option “Use simple file sharing”
If any problems are encountered please visit the support forum at the PowerNodes website –
http://www.powernodes.com
It should now be possible to connect with FrontDesk to the website. The FrontDesk application can
be found in “Start > All Programs > PowerNodes > FrontDesk”. Please take note that FrontDesk
will only run using localhost without a licensed copy.
Connection parameters
Server http://localhost
User ID System/Administrator
Password Enter the password defined when loading the
default data – in this example we use 1234
1. Open FrontDesk
2. Enter above information in the Connection dialog
3. When done press “OK”
FrontDesk automatic version update
When running FrontDesk for the first time the application will connect to the website and check for
the current version of the website. If the version of the website does not match a version of
FrontDesk the application will download the appropriate version from the PowerNodes website.
FrontDesk should now open and this is the end of this tutorial. The next tutorial will cover the
basics of making templates and setting up FrontDesk. If you have encountered any problems
during this tutorial please visit the support forum at the PowerNodes website
http://www.powernodes.com or write an email to support@powernodes.com
NOTE: To run the PowerNodes program without a license it can only run on the localhost. If
FrontDesk does not connect using localhost our license file missing page will show.