Creating mirror test site

[jlogan]

If we are creating a test site to mirror a live site, should the site be named test.actualname.com or rather use the ip address to get to it? What is the safest way for the public to NOT see any of the test site?

[russell]

safest is not to let em in. password protect the site. or if running iis, use integrated authentication.

[jlogan]

i am unsure if it is running iis. If it is not password protected, then is it safer to use ip addy?

[russell]

yes