Timothee_scheufler asks if Discourse can be installed on a web hosting server without SSH access, comparing it to the simple upload-and-extract process used for phpBB. Stephen explains that Discourse requires SSH access because it uses Docker to run its application, unlike phpBB which is just a collection of PHP files. He recommends using a $5 VPS at DigitalOcean for installation. Timothee_scheufler acknowledges the response and decides to proceed with the standard installation process on his Ubuntu VServer.
Hello,
I currently have a Forum running phpbb and I want to migrate to Discourse. I looked through the installation Docs on Github but it requires me a Webserver with SSH Control to do this. Is there a way to do this with a “Webhosting Webserver”? Because I have a Webhsoting package with domains connected. For phpbb it was just upload and extract a zip file and then the installation started. Can this work this way too here?
I hope it’s clear what I mean 
Thanks in advance!
I’m afraid it’s not possible to install Discourse on to a web hosting package as you describe.
Discourse requires ssh access because unlike phpBB it’s an application, instead of a collection of php files.
Discourse will install docker, and then within docker it will create an image which includes everything it requires to run.
Take a look at the standard install guide. A $5 VPS at DigitalOcean is ample to get started.
Hey Stephen thanks for your anwser,
I do have a vServer running Ubuntu but the other way it would have been much easier… I will have a look into the installation docs again tomorow and do it that way then.
Thanks!