Archiving one forum, starting a new one, using the same SQL database?

[hpfister]

I am using SMF for my course forums (e.g., hxxp:forum.cs264.org/ [nonactive]). Each year, I have to start a new, empty forum for the incoming class. Ideally, I would like to keep the old forum around and archive it.

Is it possible to do this without creating a new SQL database each year (which is what I have been doing)? I.e., can I use SMF to create a new table structure in the existing SQL database using a new prefix (which is one of the settings in the admin interface)?

So - to make it very clear - I would like to:
- Use SMF to create a new set of tables in the existing SQL database, with a new prefix (e.g., cs264-2011_ etc)
- That should create an empty forum that is ready to be used for the new students
- Connect to the old tables from the archived forum in some subdirectory on the web server (e.g, hxxp:cs264.org/2009/forum [nonactive])

Is this doable? How? I am currently using SMF 1.1.10.

Thanks,

- HP

[Illori]

first please upgrade latest is 1.1.12 there are some security fixes. you might find looking at What is repair_settings.php? helpful for doing the archived forum, then doing an install with a new prefix from there for the new forum.