XF 2.2 Staging environment licence

[BikeGremlin]

So, my forum is up and running. I have only that one licence.

Now, I'd like to make a staging copy, on some random subdomain (like: area54 dot mydomain dot com).
The idea is to use the exact same configuration, and test any updates in the staging before trying them on the live forum.

The staging copy will be a fresh install, no real posts or members - just testing.
It will be clearly named as such - and I plan to disable the option for anyone new to register, except for testing the registration process after an update.

Is this allowed without buying another subscription for the staging?

If yes, what is the recommended practice (if there's anything in particular to pay attention to)?

 

[bzcomputers]

How to duplicate a live site to use as a test site

These instructions explain how to create a test installation which is an exact duplicate of your live installation. On Your Server Create a new test database with a different database name, user name and password to your live installation...

xenforo.com

 

[Russ]

License agreement

Terms and conditions for self-hosted XenForo

xenforo.com

You may create additional test installations for the purpose of testing the Software. Any test installation of this kind must be password protected, installed at a URL that makes the testing purpose clear, not used for production purposes and access to it must be limited to You and Your website staff.

There's a guide here to duplicate your site over to a test site: https://xenforo.com/community/resources/how-to-duplicate-a-live-site-to-use-as-a-test-site.2792/

If it's a fresh install as you mentioned, you'd treat it as a fresh install (outside of password protecting it).