Multiple Boards, using same database?

[interrealm]

I'd like to know if the following is possible:

I'd like to use the same database, more specifically, the user tables, for more then 1 board.

Is this possible? IN a way, the way I am thinking of doing this is to assign the same "database" to each board, but configure the tables to use a different prefix per board. But leaving the usertable the same name. I'm not sure how this would effect the user settings (mods, admins, usercounts).

Any ideas?

[damicatz]

It is possible to use the same database for multiple boards but like you said you would have to manually edit the code for each board you had set up in every php file almost to change the names of the tables. This can be a very time consuming process, and I wouldn't recommend it.

And you do realize that if you plan to have more than 1 board using vBulletin that you will need multiple licenses right? Just checking because I know there are some people that don't know that.

[interrealm]

Yep, well aware of that...

I just wanted to make sure I'm on the right track before I attempt this in a development environment. If it works, I know i'll be adding around 4 or 5 licenses within a few weeks after completeing this.

Btw.. if ANYONE with more knowledge is currenly, or considering doing this let me know... i am a VERY VERY new guy with php so i don' tknow how long it will take or if it will be able to work (with my stuff).

If when i do get it working and no one else has posted info about it, I will post what i've learned on here and let it be taken from there.

Personally.. I think this feature would be a HUGE feature if the vB development team actually did this in the software itself. Its one thing that no other board has that I know of.

[Brighthand]

I'm looking to do the same thing. I currently have two vBulletin boards (both licensed ;) ) and would like to add a third. But I want to make it easy for those users that move between the boards. Right now they have to logon each time when going between boards. I'm looking for a solution such as the one mentioned above, or even some code that can work in conjunction with a cookie to make it a behind the scenes login.

Any ideas?

[interrealm]

I've run into some issues non-vb related that have prevented me from working on this.. but so far i've found the following to do:

create an include file that a user can name the different table names which the include file also allows a table name prefix to be added... so that if you have 3 vb's the prefix in #1 is vb1_, #2 is vb2_ and #3 is vb3_.

I reached the point of being able to initailze the install script and create the tables that correspond with the enw names. The hardest part is goign through ALL the pages and finding ALL the references to tables and modifing the code with the new variable name instead of hardcoding the table name itself.

I bleieve this will all be doable and only the "user" table should be left the same across the boards. This will allow core user/pass to be the same but all other "board related" info to be unique.

One problem i'm forseeing is when creating the vb, when it does the user table, prevent overwriting of the admin account.

These are just some notes, incase someone else is working on this. This would be a GREAT hack for people I think. Is there some of the more experienced vB developers in here capable of doing this more efficient or faster?

[tpearl5]

Any word if anyone has done this? I'd like to do the same thing with a partner site.... that is, merge our databases and have 2 different boards with the same members, topics, ect.. but with different layouts and addresses.