Summary

This is a good way to test the latest Performer Suite (PS) releases WHILE keeping your productive PS DB untouched and running.

Tips

Split up your PS environment into a productive and test environment.

Create a PROD DB (you probably already are using one)
Create a TEST DB (in most cases the backup of your PROD DB, see step 3)
Backup your PROD DB and restore it into the TEST DB
Install the latest Performer Suite Release on the TEST DB.
If those tests have been successful you can update your PROD DB with the latest Performer Suite update.
If those tests run unsuccessful, e.g. the DB update fails - you can still continue to work with your PROD DB uninterrupted.