For the past several years, I have been running my SQL Server 2008 databases on the same machine as my IIS installation. I've now been convinced to separate them, and will have a dedicated SQL box.
(1) I am planning to copy the databases over using the "Copy Database..." function on the SSMS context menu. I assume that this is the best method?
(2) Once I have the new box set up, what is the best method (in terms of both security and speed) for having my IIS applications on my old box connect to the new server? i.e., what should my connection strings look like? how should I authenticate the web users on my IIS box to access the new SQL server? using Windows or SQL authentication?
(3) Are there any important configuration options that I need to set on my new server to optimize the performance of SQL Server 2008, now that it will be running on a dedicated box?
Any advice would be appreciated.