How can I use one database for 2 vbulletins.

[MixMakers]

I want to create a test forum (same domain just different directory) that uses the same database as my real forum so I can play around with plugins and whatnot. I was just wondering how I could do this?

[salvador21]

You would need to create different database, or it would just affect your real forum.

Make a note of what you do on the test database. so that it's easy when you come to do it on the real one.

[ChopSuey]

If you have them sharing same db and your test forum gets a db error that means your main site will get the error too :)

[jdj]

I'm not a developer so you'll probably get more detail from someone else.

I think if you're running your site on a windows server you can run another site at the same IP address using a different port other than the default port which if I remember is port 80. The details escape me but they are probably at IIS.net. In MySQL you just choose a different schema (database) as part of the same "instance" (single configuration of MySQL) using a different user name, different password and different table prefix in your config.php to avoid security risks and confusion.

Probably also possible to do this using a subdomain from the same IP address pointing at a different directory.

Personally I just run my test server at a different IP address clearly marked "test installation" with a reference to the main domain for my site so that if anybody checks there's no confusion about what it is. I see this as less risky; less chance that I'll make a mistake and mess up my live installation by mistake.

[MrMister]

Use this: I am working on a setup running a ton of forums off of it: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=229858&highlight=facades

It has been working almost flawlessly. I have had to make a ton of modifications to have it perform the way I want, but nothing overly complicated.

This is for multiple live sites. If you are using it for a test site, you will cause your self problems. Any change that you make on the test site will be live on the main site as it is one shared DB. You should just look into doing backup and restore to a new database for testing.