what is the difference between import and restore database?

[cooperchien]

I am moving a database from one server to the other server.
I have 2 methods. One is import/export the database and the other is backup/restore the database to the different server.
What is the differences between these 2 methods? I need to do this in real-time and then run replication later. Unfortunately, I don't think I can bring down the server for more than 1 hour anytime and the database size is more than 110 GB. I plan to do this operation while the server is running during less busy hours.

 

[DrSql]

There are major difference between restore and import.
Import is method to import data from one db to another.
But a restore is the best method to restore
data, tables, views, stored procedures, functions, logins, full text indexing. If you dont have any objects other than table then its ok to import data. The best way to approch is in your case is restore the db from your last backup, then take a transaction log backup and restore to the new db.
Good luck

Dr.Sql
Good Luck.