Installing Social Squared

This section details how to install Social Squared for Microsoft® SharePoint® 2013/2016.

Installing Social Squared, consists of:

• Create one or more SQL Server databases.
  
  
• Install the Social Squared SharePoint® farm solution.
  
  
• Activate at least the Social Squared Forums site collection feature on one site collection.
  
  
• Within that site collection, configure each site with the Social Squared database that should be used by users of that site.
  
  
• Create and Manage Forum Groups and Forums.
  
  
• Add the Social Squared Web Parts to a page so that users can use Social Squared.
  

Creating a Social Squared SQL Server database

To create a Social Squared database, using the Lightning Tools wizard, complete the following steps:

1. Logon to a server with the credentials that allows you to create an SQL Server database. See the Installation Planning.
   
   
2. Unzip the downloaded Social-Squared-xxxx.zip file, which creates a folder, Social-Squared-xxxx, that contains a number of subfolders and files.
   
   
3. Open the “Database Installer” subfolder and double-click SocialSquared.DatabaseInstaller.exe to open the Social Squared DB Installer dialog box. If prompted, click Run.
   
   
4. In the Server text box, type the name of the server and SQL Server instance name, if applicable, where you want the Social Squared SQL Server® database to be created.
   
   
5. Select one of the authentication radio buttons, and leave the Create Database radio button selected.
   
   
   
   
6. Click Create to display the CreateDatabase dialog box.
   
   
7. In the Database Name text box, type the name of the Social Squared database that you want to use, and then click OK.
   
   
8. If successful, a message box will appear stating the database has been created. Click OK and then Close on the the Installer dialog box.
   

*If you want to create the Social Squared SQL Server database manually, please consult your SQL Server database administrator. Also if your IT infrastructure is not using Kerberos you will need to create an SQL Authentication userid, and configure it as a member of the db_owner fixed database role for the Social Squared database(s). This userid will be needed when you configure the connection string at the site level.

Go to top →

Installing the Social Squared SharePoint farm solution

The installation consists of the following SharePoint related steps. You will need to be a SharePoint server farm administrator to complete these steps:

1. Upload the SocialSquared.SocialSquaredForum.wsp solution package to the SharePoint® farm.
   
   
2. Deploy the solution to the required Web Applications.
   
   
3. Activate the Social Squared 2013/2016 license key, if you are not using the trial version of the Web Part.
   
   
4. Activate at least the Social Squared Forums site collection feature on the required site collections.
   
   
5. Test the installation by adding a Social Squared Web Part to a page
   

From time to time Lightning Tools will provide an update for Social Squared. This is on average every 12 weeks.

Uploading the Social Squared SharePoint farm solution

To upload the SocialSquared.SocialSquaredForum.wsp to your Microsoft® SharePoint® server farm, complete the following steps using the Add-SPSolution Windows PowerShell® command:

!You will need to be a SharePoint server farm administrator to complete these steps.

1. Unzip the downloaded Social Squared zip file to you computer.
   
   
2. Copy SocialSquared.SocialSquaredForum.wsp to a folder on your SharePoint server, for example c:\Tools.
   
   
3. Open the SharePoint 2013/2016 Management Shell and type on one line,
   
   Add-SPSolution c:\Tools\SocialSquared.SocialSquaredForum.wsp
   
   replacing c:\tools with the location where you stored the wsp file.

!Do not copy and paste the above command from this page, as hidden characters may be included which will cause the Windows PowerShell® command to fail in your environment.

The solution has now been added to the solution store. Next deploy the solution.

*More information on the SharePoint 2013 Management Shell can be found at: Accessing Windows PowerShell for SharePoint 2013.

Install and manage solutions for SharePoint 2013/2016 →
Go to top →

Deploying the Social Squared solution package

To deploy a Microsoft® SharePoint® farm solution to a Web Application you can use Windows PowerShell® commands or the SharePoint 2013 Central Administration web site.

!Which ever method you choose to deploy the farm solution you must be a SharePoint farm administrator.

The following instructions use the SharePoint Central Administration web site to deploy the farm solution.

1. In the browser, open Microsoft SharePoint Central Administration web site. On the Quick Launch click System Settings, and then under Farm Management, click Manage farm solutions.
   
   
   
   
2. On the Solution Management page, click SocialSquaredForum.SocialSquared.wsp.
   
   
3. On the Solution Properties page, click Deploy Solution.
   
   
   
   
4. On the Deploy Solution page, in the Deploy To? section, in the dropdown list select the Web application where you want to deploy the solution or select All content Web applications if you want to use the Social Squared in all sites in all Web applications.
   
   
5. Click OK

*Troubleshooting: If the SocialSquaredForum.SocialSquared.wsp solution is missing on the Solution Management page, upload the Social Squared solution package using the Add-SPSolution Windows PowerShell® command.

Go to top →