You're correct, even though the database itself is around 172 GB, the .bak files are running at about 20.5 GB. It may be the volume of files slowing down...

"Backup the SQL databases using SQL's native backup before 3am and let the file-system backup copy those to tape, not the mdf and ldf files."

My apologies, I wasn't clear on...

"Backing up the files of a SQL database while it's active is not a good way to back the database up."

If you're referring to the tape backups, those are done...

I have been reading the forum looking for advice on shrinking database and log files as well. I'd like to post a follow-up question to this thread if I...

I am also looking at SP3 installation, and was wondering the same thing about CU10 and CU11. Is there a way to verify if these updates were applied?

I have...

Great, that explains the database state.

More importantly, now I understand that taking databases offline removes the databases from the maintenance plan, but does not dynamically update the T-SQL script in...

The databases are still attached; however, they have no "objects" under them (i.e., no tables, views, programmability...basically the "plus sign" is no longer there, only the database name.) I...

Thanks so much...after reading about this process I believe it is exactly what I needed. I may have to re-post if I run into trouble using the process but...

I agree, they will have view only access to any production objects.

It has been difficult finding the right balance to allow development and debugging without giving too much...