thanks

i could tune most of the reports....i would never let a report run on live for more than 5 minutes anyway if i can avoid it

the business doesnt want to report off live apart from flash management reports which need up-to-the-minute data for website activity monitoring.

its more for the dev and analysis team to run deep-dive queries, test new reports and queries, tune existing application processes etc. Cannot do that with the constant single-user mode of logshipping and they require recent data

say we make a change to the application and push out a release....they want to see within 15mins if it has worked and without stressing the live server...and dont want to spend too much money either

its a hard one to satisfy all the needs of all sides

my last option would be to use standby databases but use the DAS (MD3200) to create readable san clones but i havent even configured the DAS yet and they want this resolved by monday lol!!