Go into SQL Server Network Utility, click TCP/IP and click properties- here you can set the port number.

Is there potentially any database maintenance causing this (using the tempdb for sorting etc)?

You could run a tool like SQLIO that can benchmark the read/write performance of the drives (before moving) to see if it can achieve faster IO.

Are the data and log devices configured with the same RAID configuration?

I can't see it making a big difference- but it could if the log device is on a LUN...

The only thing I can think of is if you have some legacy connections using SQL logins that will need to be stored.

You can look at some software solutions...

You can look at the database mirroring monitor, or run this query (and ensure all mirroring databases are SYNCHRONIZED):

select * from sys.database_mirroring

where database_id > 4

and mirroring_state NOT like '%NULL%'

You need to use the Oracle driver (rather than msdaora- Microsoft's OLEDB provider)

From I have heard from Microsoft- if the issue is a SQL Server issue, they will support you as normal. If they believe the issue is caused by the virtualization...

As long as you are running Hyper V or have a solution certified by server virtualization validation Program (such as VMWare common configurations if I remember correctly)- you are supported...

Be careful with this- when we moved one of our SQL 2005 servers from 32 to 64 bit, we noticed that the Microsoft Oracle driver is not supported and you...

Are you running automated Windows patch management (such as WSUS)? Depending on your settings, if it can't patch SQL Server successfully- it stops services.

You essentially need to re-install SQL Server to change the server collation. You will need to backup all databases that need to be retained.

Here is a command that worked for...

Why not just set it up manually in SSIS? It will probably be faster if it's only a simple package...

You can click properties in Management Studio, click Connections and under remote server connections, check 'Allow remote connections to this server'

Is this what you mean?

Growth increment? Is it 10%...