While DotNetNuke has a built in mechanism for installing modules, there is another method you can use as well. This is a great alternative to use especially when you are trying to install larger modules which cause a server timeout. Or, if you just have several modules to deploy at once and don't feel like uploading them one by one. It's simple, quick and easy and here's how.
The first thing you need to do is upload the zipped module packages into your DotNetNuke FTP account. Upload your modules to the Install >> Modules folder, as in the image below:
Then, you can automatically launch the installation of the modules by typing the following into your browser address bar:
http://www.mywebsite.com/install/install.aspx?mode=installresources
Looking back into your FTP folders, you'll see that the modules are now gone from the Install\Modules folder. You can now find them in the Host>>Module Definitions section on your website all installed and ready to go.
One more quick tip…notice those files that are still there in the FTP folders in the image above. Notice that they all have a ".resources" extension. By simply renaming these files and changing the "resources" to "zip" you'll be able to install these modules the same way and work with them the same as you would any other zip file.
For example….Announcements_04.00.01_Install.resources to Announcements_04.00.04_Install.zip
That's all there is to it. One simple tip to make administering your DotNetNuke portal that much easier!