sjs-36273 (1/10/2012)
Steve - I like where you are going with creating a snapshot of a mirror but isn't a snapshot read-only? How can I make it writeable? This is a perfect solution if it can be writeable. Thanks again for your help.
yes, sorry, I was thinking of something else. Again, my apologies, not sure where my brain is going today.
I think you're stuck with a backup/restore. If you can get a tool like SQL Backup Pro and Virtual Restore, I'd go that way. You can make the backups smaller, split until multiple files and transfer them across. Then save space on the restore. Red Gate has great tools, and there are a few other choices.
Disclosure: I do work for Red Gate.
The other problem with differentials is that you will be restoring the full every night + the latest diff. If that works, fine. Note that you can do this with Virtual Restore as well, reload the full and the latest diff.