Yes We have logon trigger.

Check this Logshipping configuration steps:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190640.aspx

There will be an impact of backup on production system. try to take backup in non peak time or take a strip backup.

Check your sql server authentication mode windows or mixed mode?

Very good article.!!

What is the error message that you are seeing?

Check this.

http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/1591/disabling-a-trigger-for-a-specific-sql-statement-or-session/

Very nice Article.:-)

Why you only want database roles information from snapshot database. If the snapshot is queried for data on any page that has not been modified in the source database, since...

It will give more light if you post the query also.

Please check this alert.

http://sql-articles.com/articles/troubleshooting/troubleshooting-login-failed-error-18456/

When you changed the database into simple recovery by default check point flushed the committed logs. so now its not require to take a log backup.

If production server failed then copy job will start failing and you can keep notifictation on failure of this job.

After getting notification you can start to dig the issue and...

Yes you can upgrade. just have a look on this

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-tips-for-upgrading-to-sql-server-2008-r2/2376

1. Arrange some more space or if you space othe drive then try to take strip backup.

2. get any backup compression tool like redget or litespeed.