WordPress MU Verified Hosts

As anyone who as tried to run WordPress MU on a web server knows, you need to have a hosting partner who has the capability of handling the server requirements to run WordPress MU. I’m referring not only to the Apache, MYSQL and PHP requirements:

* PHP 4.2 or greater
* MySQL 4.0 or greater
* The mod_rewrite Apache module

I’m also referring to the VHost and DNS configurations that need to be made in the httpd.conf file at the server level. You will need this configuration if you intend to use the subdomain feature with WordPress MU. You can use either the subdomain or subdirectory feature in WordPress MU. This refers to the URL of each of the user blogs within your WordPress MU network:

• Subdirectory Method: http://yourdomain.com/user
• Subdomain Method: http://user.yourdomain.com

The Subdomain Method is the most popular, and most recommended (most MU plugins are created for use with the subdomain method).

If you do not have access to your Apache configuration files, you will need to ask your web hosting provider to configure the file for you. A good host will make the change for you at no extra cost to you. Here’s what you need to tell them in order for them to get the configuration right:

Make sure a line like the following appears in your httpd.conf
LoadModule rewrite_module /usr/lib/apache2/modules/mod_rewrite.so

In the directive of your virtual host, look for this line
"AllowOverride None"
and change it to
"AllowOverride FileInfo Options"

In the section of the config file for your host there will be a line defining the hostname. You need to add the following if you want virtual hosts to work properly:
ServerAlias *.domain.tld

(where domain.tld is your domain name)

you must add a wildcard record to your DNS records. This usually means adding a “*” hostname record pointing at your webserver in your DNS configuration tool.

We’ve identified a few hosting companies who run WPMU successfully.

• Blogs About Hosting
• SYN Hosting
• Hosting Matters
• Media Temple
• Server Beach
• Layered Tech
• A Small Orange
• Host Gator
• Surpass Hosting

If you have a company who you KNOW is verfied as compatible with WordPress MU - leave a comment and let us know!