Beam uses server components inside the selected webroot to receive chunks, assemble releases, activate websites, create backups, and perform rollback. Beam 1.2.0 installs and updates these components from the app.
Prepare the server for a new project
The first-project assistant prepares the server after you test the connection and create the project. For an existing project, open Project Setup → General.
Choose SFTP, FTPS, or FTP.
Enter the server host, port, username, and password. SFTP on port 22 is the recommended default.
Choose Browse and select the directory served by the public website address.
Run Test Connection for the file-transfer connection.
Choose Prepare Server.
Run Test Connection again when preparation is complete.
The public Beam endpoint is located at /beam-helper/beam.php below the selected webroot. Beam changes permissions only for the files and folders it installs.
Update outdated servers
Beam checks the installed server version and required capabilities. When one or more projects need an update, Update Servers appears above the project list.
Choose Update Servers.
Keep Beam open while it updates the affected projects.
Follow the progress shown directly in the project list.
Test the live websites when the updates are complete.
Beam updates up to three servers at the same time. Projects that already use compatible server components are left unchanged.
If server preparation fails
Confirm that the public website address points to the same live webroot selected under Remote path.
Use Browse rather than entering a path from memory.
Confirm that the account can create folders, upload files, and set usable permissions inside the webroot.
Check protocol and port. SFTP normally uses port 22. Explicit FTPS commonly uses port 21; implicit FTPS commonly uses port 990.
Wait about ten seconds after preparation before testing the endpoint again.
Check that security software, a proxy, or hosting rules do not block
/beam-helper/beam.php.
If the problem remains, see Troubleshooting Beam 1.2.0.