Support Forum

Starting off with the basic one, ranks can be controlled through Forum > Components > Forum Ranks. Pretty self explanatory, check out the 'help' button popups on all the panels for more info and of course ask if you have any further questions on that one!

As to the permissions and usergroup question, it's probably best to think of usergroups and permissions as entirely separate entities not linked in any way on their own. The magic happens when you go to Forum > Forums > Manage Groups and Forums, where you can then assign a permission set to a specific user group for any given forum / group.

This means for example that you can allow the usergroup Members to view say 'Forum 1' by going to Manage Groups and Forums > Forum 1 > Add Permission / Forum Permissions and assigning the Members group the 'Standard Access' permission,

The same way you can deny them access to say 'Forum 2' by going to Manage Groups and Forums > Forum 2 > Add Permission / Forum Permissions and assigning the Members group the 'No Access' permission.

Lots of combinations.. If you're having a specific problem with it that you can't resolve, please post a screenshot of your permissions settings under Manage Groups and Forums for the forum in question so we can take a look.

Also, it's definitely worth having a read through the Getting Started guide, specifically the Controlling Access section at the bottom - User Groups, Permissions and User Access and Permissions.

Hope that helps!