Test Environment setup - Best way

[grant.hayman]

Hi all,

When testing new modes or updates etc I dont want to test things on my live borad.

What is the best way to setup (leagaly.. licences etc) a test environment.

1. If i just use a local machine and load my servers OS on it, is that a true test as my local machine is not a replica of my server environment etc

2. Load vbulletin onto a spare domain I have and play there, my only concern is that if i load up a dodgy hack ( not that there are many here ) but if a hack messes up mysql etc then thats going to effect my server.
But this would surely be a better test environment to make sure everything works.

3. Have the forum installed on my real domain in a new subfolder (not sure if this is even possible).

How do you guys set up your play forum as I have seem many people talk of test boards etc.

Thanks

Grant