Hi Larry,
Thanks for your help...

What I'm mainly concerned with here is moving SQL files between 2 machines which are not necessarily linked with one another...I received the following reply from Yair Alan Griver on this question:

"Basically, you can detach and reattach, or create a backup and restore on
the other machine. Until SQL7, you couldn't do the first, so I tend to stick
to the second out of habit..."


>Marshal,
>From DatabaseProfessional's Library, SQL Server 7 Administration, Chapter 5:
>Data Transformation Service Wizards (Import/Export) - used to copy databases, tables and indexes to another SQL Server system
>Data Transformation Service Designer - access to DTS for the more experienced users
>sp_attach_db - moves or copies a complete SQL Server database (data and objects) to another SQL Server by copying the database files
>Replication - maintains copies of data on both servers using intermittent copies
>
>I personally recommend the DTS Wizards if you are just starting with this. They are very easy to configure and you can learn from the DTS flow it creates.
>
>I also recommend the book I cited above. It has helped me a great deal.
>
>>I'm a long time (18 years) Database developer just now getting into SQL Server.
>>
>>For all the books I've purchased on SQL Server, I have yet to find a section on how to move Databases (and Tables, Logs, Indexes) from a Test to a Production machine..
>>
>>
>>How do you do it (without having to completely redefine your Databases)?..Do you use sp_attach_db?
>>
>>If the production environment mirrors the test environment can you merely copy files or is there more involved?
>>
>>Could someone point me to an article or Message Thread which discusses this issue?