title: Migrate SQL Server database to multiple files
body: <p>I have a SQL Server 2008 database in production that we are moving onto a new server. The current database has a single ~400GB <code>.MDF</code> file. The new server will be running SQL Server 2012, and we are running mirrored Intel 910 SSDs. These drives will present us with 4x 200GB partitions.</p>
  
  <p>To make this work, we will need to split the single <code>.MDF</code> into 4 smaller ones using <code>DBCC SHIRNKFILE with EMPTYFILE</code>. We have done this in test, and it still takes ~ 3.5 hours to do which is too long. The existing database is OLTP, and 365/24/7 and I know blocking will occur during this process, so we can't do it on production first.</p>
  
  <p>My question, is there a way to backup and restore the database to the new server in a temp location, create the new files, <code>EMPTY</code> the temp <code>.MDF</code> into the new locations, then apply transaction logs after? That way we can move the data while current old production is up and running, then do a short shutdown, apply logs, and bring up the new DB?</p>
  
  <p>Or are there any other options to get from Server A with one file and Server B with 4 files on different drives with minimal downtime?</p>