Instance clones
Quick answer
Refresh a sub production instance from production without losing work or leaking data.
Key takeaways
- A clone replaces the target completely, back up work first
- Preservers protect environment specific records
- Exclude large log tables to shorten clone time
- Post clone checks belong in a written runbook
What a clone does
A clone copies production data and configuration over a target instance. Everything on the target is replaced, including update sets that were not committed and captured elsewhere. Plan the clone like a release, not like a refresh button.
Exclude and preserve
Two lists control the outcome. Clone exclusions skip table data, typically large log and audit tables. Data preservers keep target rows that must survive, for example the LDAP server pointing at a test directory, integration endpoints and MID server records.
Clone checklist
Run through this every time.
- Export or commit any update set on the target that is not already promoted
- Confirm preservers cover credentials, endpoints and email properties
- Announce a freeze window to developers
- After the clone, verify email sending is disabled and test integrations point at test systems
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Check your understanding
What protects a target record from being overwritten by a clone?
- A. Clone exclusion
- B. Data preserver
- C. Update set
- D. Domain
Show answer
B. Data preserver
Preservers keep specific target rows, exclusions skip copying source data.
First thing to check after cloning production to test?
- A. Report colours
- B. That email sending and integrations are pointed away from production
- C. User photos
- D. Homepage layout
Show answer
B. That email sending and integrations are pointed away from production
Preventing test traffic to real users and systems is the priority.