The document discusses the multi-site functionality in Joomla!, including approaches to managing multiple sites such as ACL and layered configurations. It highlights various strategies for sharing files and databases, as well as limitations and the current inactive status of the working group. The focus has shifted away from sharing program files to prioritizing data sharing between separate Joomla! instances.

1. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
JOOMLA! MULTIPLIED
How to run Multi-Sites

2. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
Note:
This is a shortened version of the entire presentation!

3. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
Viktor Vogel
• Work with Joomla! since 2005
• Private project
Kubik-Kubik Joomla! Extensions
http://joomla-extensions.kubik-rubik.de/
• Employee at 1&1 Internet as their Joomla! specialist
http://www.1and1.com/

4. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
MULTI-SITE
FUNCTIONALITY IN THE
JOOMLA! PROJECT
• Multi-Site Working Group
• Meetings in 2011 and 2012
• Documentation: Multi-site Design Options
• http://docs.joomla.org/Multi-site_Design_Options
• Group is currently not active
• PLT Contact: David Hurley

5. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
RESULTS OF MEETINGS -
CONCEPTS
• 2011 (JoomlaDays New York)
• ACL Approach
• Layer Approach
• 2012 (JandBeyond)
• Shared Program Folder, Separate Databases
• Shared Files, Single Database

6. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
ACL APPROACH
• Also known as Seblod Approach (Sebastien)
• Site divided in sub-sites using ACL groups
• Mapping of URLs to a logical site to a group
• Separation of modules, menu items and plugins
difficult
• Could be solved by using View Access levels
• Or by adding ACL permissions for these entities

7. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
SITE LAYER APPROACH
• Logical layer between Global Configuration and the
component options
• Assignment of component items to sites, controlled
by ACL permission rights
• Consequences
• System is more complex but easier to maintain
• Modification of existing extensions is necessary

8. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
SHARED PROGRAM
FOLDER AND SEPARATE
DATABASES
• Site setup with a separate application to map needed
data
• Few setup files for each site instance, shared core files
• Updates of 3rd party through Site Manager, updates are
specifically installed for each site instance
• No content sharing, except of copying it with
application
• Could be achieved with minor changes to the CMS

9. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
SHARED FILES, SINGLE
DATABASE
• A single Joomla! instance can have multiple domains
• Each domain has different menu items
• Approach can be implemented by Virtual Domains
• Template assignment, content sharing
• Single point of software updates
• Separation of user access only partly possible with
ACL
• Customer access to backend not recommended

10. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
FOCUS ON SHARING
DATA, NOT SHARING
PROGRAM FILES
• Agreement in 2012 at the JAB
• Most important priority is to share data between entirely separate
Joomla! instances
• Single instance with same files is not more in the focus
• Messaging could be achieved with a restful approach
• Current status
• Working group is inactive, no working solution out of the box
• Multi-sites will not be provided in the near future by Joomla! core

11. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
DEMO EXAMPLE WITH
VIRTUAL DOMAINS
• Approach: Shared Files, Single Database
• Free extension by Michael Liebler, Roman Teske
• Multi-domain capability for Joomla without
changing the Joomla core files and tables
• Specific designs, (default) languages, home page
content and navigation.
• http://janguo.de/lang-de/joomla-25-higher/virtual-
domains-joomla-2-5.html

12. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
DOMAINS SETUP FOR
VIRTUAL DOMAINS
• Same server
• Each domain must reside on the same server and must be
accessible from the same IP
• Same folder
• The webserver must point each domain to the same
folder
• No redirection
• To achieve that goal, you must not use a redirection like
.htaccess oder by frame.

13. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
DOMAINS SETUP FOR
VIRTUAL DOMAINS 2
Source: Virtual Domains Documentation

14. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
DOMAINS SETUP FOR
VIRTUAL DOMAINS 3
• 3 subdomains on the same server
• Each subdomains points to the same folder
• No redirections, only assignments

15. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
BACKEND VIEW OF
VIRTUAL DOMAINS
• 3 entries for the subdomains
• 3 different templates
• 3 different articles assigned to the subdomains

16. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
OUTPUT OF DEMO
INSTALLATION

17. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
LIMITATIONS WITH
VIRTUAL DOMAINS
• Constellation only suitable for small, non-complex
websites
• Encountered limitations
• (Core) Components are not designed to be used in a
multi-website (separation of items doesn’t work
properly)
• Many components can only be used exclusively for one
domain
• With ACL some restrictions can be made possible but not
enough to separate all strictly
• Plugins are executed on every domain equally

18. #jab14 | Joomla! multiplied - How to run Multi-Sites | @viktorvogel
THANKS!