Best Way to Create a Testing Environment

[pilotjourney]

I need to create a test environment with a complete install of my current site and database in an isolated location so I can have a test site.

What is the best way to do that?

1. Should I copy everything to a folder on the same domain?
2. Should I copy everything to a new domain that is only used for testing?

My server has cpanel, should I use that to backup and restore or should I use a tool like Joomlapack or JoomlaClone?

Thank you.

[pe7er]

I would use a local environment like XAMPP,
and copy ALL files (with FileZilla FTP) from the website to a local directory under the htdocs of the XAMPP software,
and use phpMyAdmin to copy the database from the website to the local site.
Then backup your configuration.php at your local environment (e.g. copy to site_configuration.php)
and change the configuration.php to reflect the local XAMPP settings.

With testing: don't forget to switch on XAMPP's Mercury mail server (and configure it), so that you can fully test the site at your local PC.

[pilotjourney]

That sounds like a great idea if I was doing the development. Actually someone else, so they need to test, then I need to test. They are in another country from where I am.

Is there a way this idea would still work with us being not in the same location?

[pe7er]

Is there a way this idea would still work with us being not in the same location?

Yes, you'll need some PC/server/hosting space with IP address where you both have access to.
Replace all "local environment like XAMPP" in my previous post with "PC/server/hosting space with IP address where you both have access to", and you will have what you need :-)