You should go through and create a new database in the SQL Server. You can always use the name of the website to create a database. Once the database has been created, you should create a user who has access to the database. You should keep your database username and password in mind because you will require them in the next step in DotNetNuke settings.
Use the set DNN information such as password, Host username, and the likes, to populate the installation screen. Choose Custom as an option for the Database and configure the database connection. Provide a name for the Database and one for the Server IP. Click on the option which lets you enter the password or the same username that you had previously created for the database authentication.
There are a few more options that you could configure. It is not necessary to modify them but as a developer, you should probably get a new objectQualifier setting. The default must be blank. Type “dnn”, leave out the quotes, which will prepend “dnn_” to all objects that DNN creates such as Stored Procedures and Tables. Regarding production, it is not required or advised. However, if you intend to sell the modules that you are developing, then it is recommended to support objectQualifier in your development. This will time saving for you especially if one of your customer’s production databases has an objectQualifier defined in them.
You need to decide one thing when adding a new Portal to your DNN Installation; do you want it to be a Parent or Child Portal. The main difference is whether the new website will be on a different domain name or remain on the same domain name. Parent Portals are normally unrelated websites and are on a new domain name. It is normally the default because it’s popular among developers and is used almost 90 percent of the time. The only time when it is necessary to do a Child portal is if you intend to have your website use the same domain as another on your install. It could be a different division in the same company. Child Portals are usually accessed with a / notation. Eg., www.mynewwebsite.com/childportal
It is advisable to try and use Parent portals when possible. Child Portals are great for separating company divisions. They are, however, completely different websites, and the information is not shared between parent or child portals.
To create a portal template, use your Super User/ Host account to log in to your website and access the Host menu > Portals. There is an Export Portal Template option on the Portals page. A template can be used when you want to create a new Portal or when on an existing Portal and you're using the site wizard.