Clone or backup SRM server for tesing new upgrade

HI Folks,

I am having some issue going on with SRM  5.5.1.2 version and after having conversation with VMware  tech support i need to upgrade SRm with version 5.5.1.4.

I dont want to make any changes in my prod SRM instance so I've decided to go with two option and i need feedback that below two opetion is valid as vmware best practice for SRM VM,

1) i can take SRM vm backup using com-vault method and restored in my test lab,i can proceed SRM upgrade in my test lab

2) i can clone SRm vm and disconnect NIC from vm and login vm local admin and upgrade SRM

Thanks,