crearing test site/forum on same shared server

[wmlvb]

my websites are a shared server. including my vbadvance/ vbulletin site. I would like to have a test forum site for testing mods and edits so does not affect my live forum site.

I have these question so I can understand my option better:

- Can I make an exact copy of my site and create a test forums sit on same server?
-can I create a fake browser on my desktop for testing?
- What do I call the test forum so not conflict with my live forum

Thanks for help

[Marco van Herwaarden]

From the License Agreement (http://www.vbulletin.com/order/license_agreement.php):


If you have a valid Software license, you may set up an additional test forum in order to test code, template and database modifications. To make this clear to us and our license verification procedures, place it in a directory called 'testvb' and be sure to password protect it. It must not be accessible by the general public.

[wmlvb]

Thanks for pointing out the agreement. I was aware that it is allowed. I just need to know how to do it on a shared server, as mentioned above. do you have a link for instruction for this?

Is it possible to just copy the contents Forum folder I already have and create a new folder and paste the entire Forum folder contents into the new folder with new name? So basically I have an exact copy of my site that is a test site! I would not necessarily need the data but the layout and things created through CP Admin already would be nice to have as copy so I can see how to make changes!

is possible to simulate a server on my desktop and add forum to this so not using ftp and online server?

Thanks for Help!

[Lynne]

<a href="http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252648" target="_blank">Step by Step: Create a test forum based on a 'snapshot' of your live one</a>

[wmlvb]

This is just what I needed!

Thanks

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question about the steps:


Are step 3 and 8 necessary whihc looks like another way to back up? Can I just back up through admin Cp backup? If have to do these step how do I open server using SSH?

Is there a link explaining how to create a mysqual data base? Thanks for the help!

[Lynne]

The best way to save your database is using the method he is using. It is more reliable than backing up from the admin cp.

Take a look at this in the manual - Creating a New MySQL Database for vBulletin to Use (http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/create_database)