I'm looking for the best overall SQL Server hardware upgrade
methodology. We need to move an instance of SQL Server from an old
server to a new one with minimal downtime. However, due to limitations
of our third party software which uses the SQL Server as a back-end,
both the server name and instance name must be the same on the new
server. Everything must be copied over, from security, views and stored
procedures to backup schedules and replication configuration.

I've read about several different approaches for doing this, but none of
them are very simple. I'm looking for the LAZY (as in LazyDBA) way.

What is the most acceptable way to do this?

Michael Phillips
Cardiac Science
[Email address protected]

MS Sql Server LazyDBA home page