How can I Duplicate Zen Cart shop directory (same server) ?

[fairestcape]

Once you have "cloned" all your files, and have what is a "duplicate" of all your code in a separate directory, you can use phpMyAdmin to make a copy of the database.

When you have a duplicate of the database, all you need do is adjust your configure.php files in the cloned store to point to the new database.

Before you "operate" your cloned store, you will probably need to run FIX CACHE KEY.

This php file can be found in the Free Software Addons.

After you have re-set the cache, your cloned store ought to work independently of your original store.

[zcnb]

Before you "operate" your cloned store, you will probably need to run FIX CACHE KEY.

Thank you very much for this tip, fairestcape. This is exactly the kind of Zen Cart specific information that I needed and I can't get from a general purpose MySQL newsgroup.

I intend to eventually post in this forum a step-by-step HowTo that describes how to duplicate a Zen Cart store directory, including a duplicate (i.e. not linked) database. I hope that this will help others as much as other posters helped me so far.

In the meanwhile here is a slight (but important) correction to the 'cp' shell command posted above:

~/public_html> cp -Rp shop testshop

This correction will preserve the original store's permissions (important for security). It assume a Linux host.

Also, here is a link to to FIX CACHE KEY add-on you mentioned.

Lastly, here is another useful link that describes how to backup and restore the database, although it seems to me that this not really what you mean by "use phpMyAdmin to make a copy of the database". The reason is that it restores from backup to the exact same database, with the exact same name. Is my observation correct?

If so, I think that what you were referring to by "use phpMyAdmin to make a copy of the database" is the "Copy database to:" in "Operations" tab in phpMyAdmin. Is this correct?

[zcnb]

OK - I am so glad I am testing this before going live...

I find DrByte's fix_cache_key.php incredibly helpful in duplicating the Zen Cart shop directory to testshop. However, I am having problems running it, perhaps because when I created the testshop database, using cPanel, the password in database user's password in:

• admin/includes/configure.php
• includes/configure.php

No longer matches the password I specified for the newly created testshop database.

How do I modify DB_SERVER_PASSWORD in both configure.php to match the password I specified when I created the testshop database?

[zcnb]

How do I modify DB_SERVER_PASSWORD in both configure.php to match the password I specified when I created the testshop database?

OMG - I can't believe it's so simple: the password specified in both configure.php files at the define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD' line is stored in clear text...

I just tried it and the fix_cache_key.php script worked!

But now, I have a totally different question:

Doesn't storing the database user password in clear text in the configure.php file constitute a potential security hole/risk?

[fairestcape]

Doesn't storing the database user password in clear text in the configure.php file constitute a potential security hole/risk?

That's why you MUST chmod the files to at least 644 (or better to 444 which is what I do). If this is not done a warning appears in the browser when you visit the site.

(Personal boast: My record for cloning a zenshop is just 11 minutes!)

[zcnb]

That's why you MUST chmod the files to at least 644 (or better to 444 which is what I do). If this is not done a warning appears in the browser when you visit the site.

Thank you for quickly addressing my concern. Indeed, I always make sure those files have their permissions set to 444.

Still, 444 (as opposed to 440) means they are world-readable. Is this OK, in terms of security?

(Personal boast: My record for cloning a zenshop is just 11 minutes!)

I envy you. When I first started this project, I knew nothing about web technology (and much less about PHP/MySQL ...). I hope that by the time I am done, I will be able clone a zenshop in 111 minutes.

[DrByte]

The FAQ on copying data to/from an offline testing server, usually a PC, covers the same process, but instructs to use FTP to copy the files, since that's what most people have available to them. Most don't have SSH access let alone the knowledge to use command-line instructions on a Linux server.

Basically the process is this:

1. Clone the files. Since you're working on the same server and same hosting account, AND you have shell access to your server, using your command-line "cp" approach is fine.
2. Edit the cloned configure.php files to contain the correct database details for your testing database.
3. Use phpMyAdmin to export your live database using the FAQ instructions.
4. Use phpMyAdmin to restore your database backup into the database used for your testing site.

5. Since you're running on the same server and hosting account, it's unlikely that you'll need to use fix_cache_key.php on your site.