SMF 1.x and SMF 2.x at the same time

[putoguiri]

Hi,

I'm the admin of an online community and since a long time we've been happily using SMF 1.x to satisfy our forum needs. I've been reading a lot about the SMF 2 and it's release candidates and from what I get it should be almost 100% usable.

But before I make the change/upgrade I'd like to install and run a SMF 2 copy (preferably using the data from the 1.x database) in order to see for my self what would change and showing it to the other admins and mods.

I know ask, is that even possible? Keeping the old forum up and running while haven a separate new SMF also running with the same data (I would put it in another folder, of course, and keep it from the users). It also would be ideal for testing purposes, see which of my mods/hacks would still work and if I need to do any changes to our customised theme.

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I haven't found anything on the matter.

Thank you in advance for your replies, have a nice day!

Ps: Thank you also for this great piece of work.

[Masterd]

Just install it in ther directory, database, and with the new prefix.

[putoguiri]

Just install it in ther directory, database, and with the new prefix.

Wouldn't the import of the old database change it and make it unusable for the old forum? That's my biggest concern before doing it.

I kind of want two views of the same thing.

Thank you

[Norv]

You can. Just please pay attention to:
- backup everything (How do I backup my SMF forum?)
- upload 1.1.x files (I'd use fresh files from an install or upgrade package, eventually copy attachments and other personalized folders if you have - i.e. smileys, galleries or such) to a /test folder
- copy Settings.php and Settings_bak.php from the main forum to the /test forum.
- backup your database it and restore it under another name, a database for the test forum.
(Restoring a Database)
(or if it's small and your host allows it, you can copy it using phpmyadmin: select database > operations > copy under another name)
- (most important!) upload to the /test forum repair_settings.php (What is repair_settings.php?) and run it, and correct the paths and URLs! Including the name and credentials to the second database, do NOT use the main forum's database anymore.
- upload large upgrade package files - all of them, to the test forum, and run upgrade.php
- check and enjoy

You may want to take into account a few details: you may want to change, on the test forum, the email settings - to something invalid, to prevent emails being sent to members in case they have notifications turned on and you post a topic on test, they'd be notified about.

[putoguiri]

You can. Just please pay attention to:
- backup everything (How do I backup my SMF forum?)
- upload 1.1.x files (I'd use fresh files from an install or upgrade package, eventually copy attachments and other personalized folders if you have - i.e. smileys, galleries or such) to a /test folder
- copy Settings.php and Settings_bak.php from the main forum to the /test forum.
- backup your database it and restore it under another name, a database for the test forum.
(Restoring a Database)
(or if it's small and your host allows it, you can copy it using phpmyadmin: select database > operations > copy under another name)
- (most important!) upload to the /test forum repair_settings.php (What is repair_settings.php?) and run it, and correct the paths and URLs! Including the name and credentials to the second database, do NOT use the main forum's database anymore.
- upload large upgrade package files - all of them, to the test forum, and run upgrade.php
- check and enjoy

You may want to take into account a few details: you may want to change, on the test forum, the email settings - to something invalid, to prevent emails being sent to members in case they have notifications turned on and you post a topic on test, they'd be notified about.

Thanks!

So I basically duplicate my existing forum and upgrade it? And I also duplicate the database.

One more thing, the 2.0 version would be the one on which I'll work (theme it, install mods, any other extra sites we have), so, if we decide to upgrade, which would be the best way to migrate the work from one to another?

[Illori]

you might also need to run What is repair_settings.php? to fix your paths in the test forum

[Norv]

Illori:
I already said that. Somewhere in the middle. I know, I know, I talk too much sometimes.

putoguiri:
Probably there's no perfect solution, I'm afraid. I'd go for upgrading the live forum when ready, knowing exactly what mods to install and what it happens, it wouldn't take long.
Then apply back theme tweaks (or copy back the tweaked files of the test 2.0 forum)
Would it be very troublesome for you?

[Illori]

Illori:
I already said that. Somewhere in the middle. I know, I know, I talk too much sometimes.

well it cant hurt to say it again anyway the post above mine seemed to have missed that part in his/her condensed version of your post.

[putoguiri]

putoguiri:
Probably there's no perfect solution, I'm afraid. I'd go for upgrading the live forum when ready, knowing exactly what mods to install and what it happens, it wouldn't take long.
Then apply back theme tweaks (or copy back the tweaked files of the test 2.0 forum)
Would it be very troublesome for you?

I guess not, I'll just have to take notes what I did since the upgrade will probably come with some other changes planned on the site.

Thanks a lot for your help!

[Norv]

Illori:
I already said that. Somewhere in the middle. I know, I know, I talk too much sometimes.

well it cant hurt to say it again anyway the post above mine seemed to have missed that part in his/her condensed version of your post.

Oh, I completely agree. Not a part one wants to miss.