Hi PSK!

The instructions for creating a copy of your data for testing can be found in our knowledgebase:

support.na.sage.com/.../viewdocument.do

There's no need to stop any services unless you have 3rd party applications that are accessing your data. You will need to have all users log out while making the backup.

Good Luck!

The response Jesse Gordon provided is to create a test "data folder" on your current server environment by using File Tools to copy your live working data folder to another folder to use as a test company. This scenario is a good learning or training option to avoid errors in your live data.

However, you asked about creating a test "environment" with a cloned server. I would advise against connecting this cloned server to your existing network, and perhaps set it up as a free-standing network with only one workstation to test whatever configuration changes you wish to test. Attempting to have two separate servers hosting Sage 300 CRE in different configurations on the same network is probably not a good idea.

I second this response.