Well you need VBulletin, PHP BB, SMF or any other forum software. You also need a PHP MySQL server (for systems requiring that) or an ASP server. Obviously you can simply rent some webspace with these functionalities attached.

After that it's a matter of installing and configuring the software. Then the real work starts, getting your site popular and getting people to post :)

You need some experience with social network building. With technology phpbb is the best of all as it open and developing (May be I am in love with the code).

Try to get hold of the right industry pulse before starting a forum.

Check the Community Building Library [webmasterworld.com] for some ideas, particularly the first/oldest item listed there.

If you are ok with spending a little bit of money on the software, vBulletin is a good way to go. I have it on my website and it's nice stuff. You'll also need a host with PHP on the server and MySQL.

As far as bandwith and space needs, that just depends on how busy your forums will be and how many photos/videos you'll want to have on the server. Many hosts will let you upgrade to a higher server once you realize that your present quotas aren't enough.

Good luck.

[edited by: LBmtb at 10:20 pm (utc) on Aug. 14, 2006]