Proper backup procedure for remote site?
You set a path for manual and automatic backups in Backup &amp; migrate module. You get the resulting tar.gz file using ftp to your local machine for backup. If you want to restore, from within the module you choose file to upload.
For the db backup just the generated file, for the files the /my_drupal_site_1/sites/ directory
See #2
You can create a new profile in Backup &amp; Migrate module and select which tables to backup (restore only restores what was backed up so you are ok there). Partial backup requires a lot of caution as to not forget necessary tables.
If you are restoring to an existing site NO, if it is a migration you are after YES
See #5


I think you are better of using i rather than ii, as using drush is a lot more "technical" and mistake prone.

As for you last question, yes... use Backup &amp; Migrate to create a DB backup file on the server and then get everything using FTP. Even better use CPanel or Plesk and backup Home and mySql alltogether.