What is the difference between Instance cloning and Instance restore?

superkvi · ‎10-28-2020

Recently our both the non-production instances (Dev and Teat) were upgraded to Paris Patch 1 Hot Fix 5. Later I realized that Production instance cloning was not done before the non-production instance upgrade. I raised a case with ServiceNow technical support and was asked to request Instance Restore.

What problems may I face due to this (no cloning) during the production upgrade? Or What will be the effects of this on the Production upgrade?

Thank you!

superkvi · ‎10-28-2020

Hi Jaspal, thank you for your reply.

So in my case, while raising an Instance Restore request in HI, the source will be my Production instance and the target will be my Development instance (or Test instance? which one is advisable?) Am I right? Generally, after instance restore activity the Production instance is cloned to the non-production instance?

Thank you!

Jaspal Singh · ‎10-28-2020

No. So, below is how it goes.

ServiceNow takes backup for all instances at regular intervals. So, when a restore is done for instance it means whatever was there in the instance when backup was taken will be applied.

Once restore is done you can then clone your target instance from PRD & post then can have upgrade scheduled for target instance.

superkvi · ‎10-29-2020

Thank you for the update. I am sorry but I am a bit confused.

Instance restore option is given to me by ServiceNow technical support team when I told them Production instance was not cloned to development instance before development and test instance were upgraded to Paris.

Now when they say 'instance restore' I am not sure which instance they mean (Dev or Prod) and where to restore.

In your reply above you have mentioned that 'Once restore is done you can then clone your target instance from PRD & post then can have upgrade scheduled for target instance.'

Do you mean restore Prod (source) to Dev. (target)? And then schedule for target instance (Dev in this case)

My Dev and Test instances are already upgraded to Paris and Prod. is scheduled for 4th March 2020.

This being my first ever upgrade activity I am unknown of common practices and hence a bit nervous.

Thank you for your support!