Drupal cross server workflow
Here are some links to some articles which might be helpful. I've been compiling them myself, to help figure out how to tackle the same issue you're having.

Exploring Deployment Methods


http://torylawson.com/index.php?title=Moving_Drupal_7_site_to_a_new_server
How to migrate from test environment to production environment?
Creating a Drupal development environment - achieving development, stage and production: http://groups.drupal.org/node/24196
http://developmentseed.org/blog/2009/jul/09/development-staging-production-workflow-problem-drupal/
http://www.slideshare.net/eaton/drupal-deployment-presentation


Moving Configuration out of the Database with Features


Bundling site settings using Features - http://drupal.org/node/580026
http://developmentseed.org/blog/2009/may/29/making-and-using-features-drupal/


Using Git with Drupal (http://github.com)


Drupal Git Tutorials List - http://drupal.org/node/1054594 
Building a Drupal site with Git - http://drupal.org/node/803746 
Drupal + Git database management - http://patrickavella.com/blog/git-drupal
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5364498/drupal-on-git-what-to-do-with-the-database
http://www.opc.com.au/web-development/drupal-release-management-drush-and-git
http://www.viget.com/extend/backup-your-database-in-git/


Useful Contrib Modules


http://drupal.org/project/backup_migrate
http://drupal.org/project/features
http://drupal.org/project/drush