How to Set Up a BBS Internet Server (5 Steps)

Determine what software you will use to manage your BBS. Bulletin boards use special software that manages user accounts and provides the system operator with a wide range of administrative controls. There are many BBS software programs to choose from. Synchronet (see Resources) is a popular open source software that can be used free of charge. Impulse BBS and Ezycom are other options that will allow you to administer your own BBS server. Review the available options to determine which contain the features you require, and which are priced within your budget.
Acquire a server that can be used to host your BBS software. Refer to the minimum system requirements for the software you are using and make sure the server you select will meet or exceed those requirements. You will typically need to have either a Win 32 or Unix-based system to use as a server. This can be either a computer in your home or office, or a dedicated server at a hosting company. A standard web hosting account will not work for most BBS software programs, but you can select a hosting package for a dedicated Unix server and use that to host your BBS software. The dedicated server is necessary because this is the only way most hosts will allow you to install your own software on the server side.
Install the control panel software on your server. WHM and Virtuozzo are the most common control panel programs to use on a server. These will typically already be installed if you have a dedicated hosting package. Having a control panel installed is important, because it will allow you to have remote access to the server.
Install the BBS server. Use the control panel software to access the server. Go to the installation section of the control panel and follow the onscreen prompts to install your BBS software. The software will also be configured during the installation process, allowing you to set the basic features, such as the maximum number of concurrent users and how long a user can remain inactive before being automatically logged out.
Restart the server to complete the installation process.
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