Dear Andrew,
Set it up as similar to your live server as possible. So use the latest files and database as well as use the same WordPress versions. Although you might not get exactly the same PHP and MySQL versions, keep it as close/similar as possible. I found some tutorials that can help you on this topic:
Set it up as similar to your live server as possible. So use the latest files and database as well as use the same WordPress versions. Although you might not get exactly the same PHP and MySQL versions, keep it as close/similar as possible. I found some tutorials that can help you on this topic:
http://codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network
http://www.dewbloggers.com/install-wordpress-on-windows-locally-using-xampp/
You can also assign a local domain name (virtual host) adjusted in your Apache configuration and Windows hosts file. So if your live domain is mywebsite.com, your localhost version would be mywebsite.local. This post provides some useful information: http://austinpassy.com/tutorials/setting-up-virtual-hosts-wordpress-multisite-with-xampp-on-windows-7/
Please let me know if you are satisfied with my answer and if I can help you with any other questions you might have.
Cheers,
Emerson