Cloning instances

Update Sets are designed to move some configuration from one instance to another. They allow administrators to push new functionality-or bug fixes-to another instance, thereby migrating only the configuration that has changed.

In contrast, a clone is much more complete. It shifts almost the entire database from one instance to another instance. Since ServiceNow stores pretty much everything in the database, this results in everything being copied from the source to the target. This includes all the configuration and the data. It could even include the System Log and Audit tables. The following figure is a diagrammatic representation of the cloning process:

Note

A clone results in an almost identical copy of an instance. The target system will be wiped, including any in-progress work. All the tasks will also be overwritten. A clone cannot be undone.

Cloning is performed through the System Clone menu in the Application Navigator. Since it is so absolute, it works in conjunction...