http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304261

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812504

I'd shy away from IP addresses totally. That's what DNS was meant to do for you !

If it's just for yesterday, then why not opt for using EM ? It's quick and easy !

twas an interesting diversion for the afternoon in our shop ... all 7 system engineers took the test ... then we had fun with the results ...

Under normal circumstances NEVER. I've had to perform this a few time in the past but it was only at the direction of MS PSS.

If you are using LUN replication, why not just leave the SQL Server Service off at the DR site until needed ?

Yiou definitely need to talk to your systems/desktop admin folks. If you are a Windows shop, then the tool os choice is SMS - Systems Management Server <period>

2 is somewhat correct for the posed question. In reality it should be 3. But not just plain 3. But 3 times for each database that is not a system...

If the obvious locking/blocking checks do not reveal anything ...

Here's my 'short list' for tuning:

Round I

    DBCC UPDATEUSAGE

    UPDATE STATISTICS (with FULL scan) for all tables

    exec sp_recompile for all...

I agree and have walked down dcpetersen's path as well. Besides, if you are backing your files up to tape after they are on disk, the only reason to keep more than...

Here's a good link that may help you as well:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/224071/en-us

In all probability this is more of a network issue than SQL Server. I'd look at the topology of your network first before SQL Server and the ports is uses...

As for automating the task(s) that you mention, it is possible. But in order to assist you will have to post the error(s) you are getting.

Before you think about partitioning ...

Here's my 'short list' for tuning:

Round I

    DBCC UPDATEUSAGE

    UPDATE STATISTICS (with FULL scan) for all tables

    exec sp_recompile for all tables

Round II

    DBCC DBREINDEX

   ...

Cute and esoteric ... a very good question ...