Mirroring live data base on dev server

[mit99mh]

I've been given the task of sorting out a dev server - the live version of the database and the dev version are very different how would anyone recommend updating the dev version so everything (roles table designs etc) is identical to the ive server - I was going to fully back the live server up and then restore the dev version using the backup file - is this a reasonable way to achieve what I want?

Any other ideas very welcome.

 

[BenUK]

Back up and Restore is one option, others you may consider include are DTS and Replication. It all depends on your requirements, if you supply more detail I'll gladly let you which may be the best...

 

[mit99mh]

Cheers for replying - the only consideration is that the dev server must be an exact cop of the production server data / table design / roles / permission ect.

Cheers

 

[BenUK]

Then any of the options would suit.

I guess one way of deciding would be to consider how live the data needs to be:

If you just need a snapshot of the data with infrequent updates Backup and Restore would be perfectly adequate.

If you need frequent updates DTS would be best.

If you need near realtime replication the best.

If you an exact realtime image you may want to consider using distributed transactions.