What is the best way to create an exact copy of an entire SQL Server 2008 instance to another server? I want to copy everything: user accounts, logins, permissions, databases and all database objects, etc. I know how to copy things for each database in the instance, but I'd like to mirror the entire instance on another server. I'd also like to make this an automated process.
Unfortunately, this really bumps up against my SQL Server knowledge.
Thanks!
Best Answer
Kevin, the easiest way to bring across everything (if you are also keeping your instance name) is :-