Creating a Test site that mirrors my live site

Hi All,

I hope this is possible. i recently created a subdomain of my site for testing purposes. But the problem is, is that this site obviously does not mirror my current site in that it does not have the updated revised templates, and all the other additions i did to my real site.

Is it possible to basically copy all the files from my 'live' site to my test site, and if so how would i do that?

thanks!

Download, via ftp, test site, upload, via ftp, to main site...
for future reference..would have been simpler to install
WAMP on your home computer and create zencart test site
there...

mmm....sorry not sure exactly how to do this:

Download, via ftp, test site, upload, via ftp, to main site...

What I understand you are saying is to download (using the ftp cleint) my test sight and upload to my main site (i'm assuming the root directory?)

As of now, in my files I have my main site as well as my test site listed as 2 seperate domains.

When i click on FTP I get the following:

FTP Client
ftp:// x___________________
path x__________________
login x___________________
password x________________
[ ] passive mode ?help connect>>

How do i fill this out...and will uploading my test site interfere with my live site?

Sorry for the confusion, I'm a bit clueless about this... :blush:

thanks

Hi Michelle...

Take things one step at a time...

It seems you are not familiar with FTP...

What FTP PROGRAM are you using?

well Ive downloaded Filezilla, although I have not used it yet. My website provider provides me with it's own FTP program...not sure which one it is...when i click on it, it just takes me directly to my File Manager where all my folders/files are located and where I can make my changes directly from copying files to uploads, etc.

thanks

I've used this link from my Control panel (which is called WebShell4 actually) to make all my changes to my site thus far.

Get used to using FileZilla, many web based ftp programs only work well for one or two files at a time. Your webhost should be able to help you with the settings.

The suggestion was to:1. Download the entire working site to your home/office computer.
2. Now for your test directory, make a back up copy of your includes/configure.php and your admin/includes/configure.php
3. Upload the copy of your site you downloaded to your computer to the test folder. (except for the config.php files) and overwrite all files.Now you have a full working copy of your site in the test folder. After you make changes to your test site, reverse the process overwriting your live site.

REMEMBER, BACKUP YOUR CONFIG.PHP FILES! They are different, so make sure you keep them both separate.
JOhn ><>

The other suggestion is to set up a TEST SERVER on your home/office computer so you can make changes and test them, then you only have to upload the changes.

Go to WAMP and install the server on your home or test computer.

I cannot find it right now, but there is a tutorial for setting up Zen Cart on a local WAMP server.

JOhn ><>

thanks John! i'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes :unsure:

Hi John,

I follow you up to the part:

** After you make changes to your test site, reverse the process overwriting your live site.
** :dontgetit

Not sure what this means...can you clarify for me?

Thanks!

TUTORIAL to set up WAMP on your home computer...
at
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=586

one other thing just to clarify...when I download my 'live' site i'm basically making a copy of those files which are then be uploaded (copied) to my test site...am I correct in saying that?

just asking since I've never used this program before...not sure if downloading all my folders/files and uploading them somewhere else some how 'moves' my files and makes my 'live' site no longer accessible. probably a silly question but just want to make sure.

thanks for the link for the WAMP. I unfortunately don't have a compatible software to open the program...know of any free ones :blush:

mw4kids:

thanks for the link for the WAMP. I unfortunately don't have a compatible software to open the program...know of any free ones
Try
http://www.7-zip.org/

thanks misty!

Can anyone answer my question posted on #10

**Hi John,

I follow you up to the part:

After you make changes to your test site, reverse the process overwriting your live site.

Not sure what this means...can you clarify for me?**

I'm an unclear what 'reversing the process overwriting your live site' means.

thanks!

See
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=122

thank you!