Is it possible to backup and restore part of a database in sql-server?

To be honest, this is easiest:

• backup/restore a copy locally
• remove unwanted data from the copy (with DELETE or TRUNCATE TABLE, not DROP...)
• ship the copy

I wouldn't bother with filegroups because of the added complexity you noted...

The way you speak of only needing the primary file group, it sounds like to me that you only want the database structure and a very small amount of data. I would suggest if you just want an update of the database structure (objects, tables, etc) to simply script the database out with all the objects. This can be done quickly and easily with PowerShell.

Then the data you actually do need, that cannot be regenerated, simply export that out (a PowerShell script could do this too). I am sure the export file can then be compressed down to a small size and then transfered over the connection to your site.

Of course just like this one, @gbn suggestion could be scripted so it would be up to you to determine which option takes the least amount of time.

This is possible using piecemeal restore. The source database's objects and filegroups have to be organised in a way that supports this. The RESTORE requires additional specific keywords.

While the concept may take a little bit of getting used to, the amount of scripting to implement is no more than that for other solutions suggested.