1 Chapter Overview Introducing Replication Planning for Replication Implementing Replication Monitoring and Administering Replication.

1

Chapter Overview

• Introducing Replication

• Planning for Replication

• Implementing Replication

• Monitoring and Administering Replication

2

Reasons to Replicate Information

• Reducing network traffic between remote locations and central server

• Separating OLTP and OLAP operations for performance

• Combining data from multiple locations

• Data redundancy

• Supporting mobile users

• Scaling out

3

Types of Replication

• Snapshot

• Transactional

• Merge

4

Replication Terminology

5

Snapshot Replication

6

Transactional Replication

7

Merge Replication

8

Physical Replication Models

9

Replication Implementation Tools

• SQL Server Enterprise Manager and Replication Monitor

• ActiveX controls, SQL-DMO, and Replication Distributor Interface

• System stored procedures

• Windows Synchronization Manager

• Active Directory

10

Replication Security Planning

• Only sysadmin members can create and administer replication.

• Sysadmin and db_owner members can create and configure publications.

• Publisher uses the distributor_admin SQL Server account to connect to remote Distributor.

• Snapshot folder uses hidden admin share by default.

• Agents run in security context of SQL Server Agent by default and must have appropriate access rights.

11

Filtering Data

12

Initial Snapshot Options

• Stored in Repldata folder on the Distributor by default.

• Alternate locations include network drives or compact disc, and files can be compressed using CAP file format.

• Maintaining snapshot files is optional, unless anonymous Subscribers are permitted.

13

Distributor Configuration

• Share with Publisher or use remote Distributor.

• Use hidden admin share for snapshot folder, or create explicit share.

• Specify distribution database location, such as RAID.

• Enable Publishers.

14

Publisher Configuration

• Default vs. alternate snapshot folder.

• Security context for replication agents.

• Enable security for remote Distributor.

• Enable databases for replication.

• Enable Subscribers.

15

Subscriber Configuration

• Configure properties for replication agents connecting to Subscribers.

• Specify security context for Subscriber connection.

• Specify schedule for Distribution and Merge Agents.

16

Publication Creation

• Specify updatable or transformable subscriptions.

• Specify Subscriber types.

• Specify articles and their properties.

• Choose whether or not to list in Active Directory.

• Configure horizontal and/or vertical filters.

• Set schedule.

17

Push Subscriptions

• Choose Subscribers, and select destination database.

• Define Distribution or Merge Agent location and schedule.

• Define subscription initialization properties.

• Configure updatable or transformable subscription properties.

• For merge publications, define subscription priority for conflict resolution.

• Start required services.

18

Pull Subscriptions

• Locate publication using Active Directory, or locate on registered servers.

• Specify destination database.

• Specify named or anonymous subscription.

• Specify updatable subscription properties, including authentication.

• Specify snapshot delivery information.

• Specify Distribution or Merge Agent schedule, including on demand.

19

Replication Monitor

20

Distributor, Publisher, and Publication Properties

• Distributor properties, including retention periods

• Publication properties, including subscription expiration setting and status

• New and existing replication agent profiles

• Subscription properties, including agent location and status

21

Replication Conflicts and Pull Subscription Properties

• Microsoft Replication Conflict Viewer

• Windows Synchronization Manager

• Alternate synchronization partners

• Subscriber, Publisher, and Distributor login properties

• Enabling interactive resolution

22

Chapter Summary

• Replication uses the Publisher – Distributor –Subscriber metaphor.

• Choose snapshot, transactional or merge replication.

• Understand security context issues for replication agents.

• Choose subscription type based on performance requirements and administrative convenience.

• Consider enabling interactive conflict resolution for merge replication.