SQL Server 2005 - Merge Replication Step by Step Procedure

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First Posted 30 Aug 2008
SQL Server 2005 - Merge Replication Step by Step Views

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Procedure Licence CPOL
By Ahmad Eid Salim | 30 Aug 2008 | Unedited contribution SQL, Windows, SQL-Server,
Mobile
Replication is the process of sharing data between databases in different locations. Using
replication, we can create copies of the database and share the copy with different users so that
they can make changes to their local copy of database and later synchronize the changes to the source database
Introduction
Replication is a set of technologies for copying and distributing data and database objects from one database to another and then
synchronizing between databases to maintain consistency. Using replication, you can distribute data to different locations and to remote or
mobile users over local and wide area networks, dial-up connections, wireless connections, and the Internet.
Replication is the process of sharing data between databases in different locations. Using replication, we can create copies of the database
and share the copy with different users so that they can make changes to their local copy of database and later synchronize the changes to
the source database.
Terminologies before getting started:
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 supports the following types of replication
Publisher is a server that makes the data available for subscription to other servers. In addition to that, publisher also identifies what data
has changed at the subscriber during the synchronizing process. Publisher contains publication(s).
Subscriber is a server that receives and maintains the published data. Modifications to the data at subscriber can be propagated back to the
publisher.
Distributor is the server that manages the flow of data through the replication system. Two types of distributors are present, one is remote
distributor and the other one local distributor. Remote distributor is separate from publisher and is configured as distributor for replication.
Local distributor is a server that is configured as publisher and distributor.
Agents are the processes that are responsible for copying and distributing data between publisher and subscriber. There are different types
of agents supporting different types of replication.
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SQL Server 2005 - Merge Replication Step by Step Procedure - CodeProject http://www.codeproject.com/KB/database/sql2005-replication.aspx?display=Print
Snapshot Agent is an executable file that prepares snapshot files containing schema and data of published tables and database objects,
stores the files in the snapshot folder, and records synchronization jobs in the distribution database.
An article can be any database object, like Tables (Column filtered or Row filtered), Views, Indexed views, Stored Procedures, and User
defined functions.
Publication is a collection of articles.
Subscription is a request for copy of data or database objects to be replicated.
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Replication Types
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 supports the following types of replication:
Snapshot Replication
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Transactional Replication
Merge Replication
Snapshot Replication
Snapshot replication is also known as static replication. Snapshot replication copies and distributes data and database objects exactly as
they appear at the current moment in time.
Subscribers are updated with complete modified data and not by individual transactions, and are not continuous in nature.
This type is mostly used when the amount of data to be replicated is small and data/DB objects are static or does not change
frequently.
Transactional Replication
Transactional replication is also known as dynamic replication. In transactional replication, modifications to the publication at the
publisher are propagated to the subscriber incrementally.
Publisher and the subscriber are always in synchronization and should always be connected.
This type is mostly used when subscribers always need the latest data for processing.
Merge replication
It allows making autonomous changes to replicated data on the Publisher and on the Subscriber. With merge replication, SQL Server
captures all incremental data changes in the source and in the target databases, and reconciles conflicts according to rules you configure or
using a custom resolver you create. Merge replication is best used when you want to support autonomous changes on the replicated data on
the Publisher and on the Subscriber.
Replication agents involved in merge replication are snapshot agent and merge agent.
Implement merge replication if, changes are made constantly at the publisher and subscribing servers, and must be merged in the end.
By default, the publisher wins all conflicts that it has with subscribers because it has the highest priority. Conflict resolver can be customized
Before starting the replication process:

assume that we have 2 server:
EGYPT-AEID: is the publisher server ( contains HRatPublisher )

SPS: is the subscriber server ( contains HRatSubscriber ) use SQL server Authentication mode for login
on the publisher database i created table: Employees with fields of (ID, Name, Salary) to replicate its data to the subscriber server.
i will use publisher as subscriber also
Note: Check that SQL Server Agent is running on the publisher and the subscriber
Steps:
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1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and login with SQL Server Authentication to configure Publishing, Subscribers, and Distribution
a- Configure the appropriate server as publisher or distributor.
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b- Enable the appropriate database for merge replication
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2- Create new local publication from DB-Server --> Replication --> Local Publications --> Right Click --> New Pub
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then choose the database that contains the data or objects you want to replicate
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then choose the replication type and then specify the SQL server versions that will be used by subscribers to that publication like SQL Server
2005, SQL mobile Edition, SQL for Win CE ....etc
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after that manage the replication articles, data and db objects, by choosing objects to be replicated
Note: you can manage the replication properties for selected objects
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Then add filters to published tables to optimize performance and then configure the snapshot agent
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and configure the security for snapshot agent
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finally rename the publication and click finish
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3- create a new subscription for the created "MyPublication01" Publication by right click on MyPublication01 --> New Subscription
that to configure the "Merge Agent" for replication on the subscriber database
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then choose one or more subscriber databases. you can add new SQL Server subscribers
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then specify the Merge Agent security as mentioned above on "Agent Snapshot"
and so specify the synchronization schedule for each agent.
Schedules:
Run Continuously: add schedule times to be auto run continuously

Run on demand only: manually run the synchronization
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and then next up to final step, then click finish
you can check the errors from "Replication Monitor" by right click on Local Replication --> Launch Replication Monitor
Advantages in Replication:
Users can avail the following advantages by using replication process:
Users working in different geographic locations can work with their local copy of data thus allowing greater autonomy.
Database replication can also supplement your disaster-recovery plans by duplicating the data from a local database server to a remote
database server. If the primary server fails, your applications can switch to the replicated copy of the data and continue operations.
You can automatically back up a database by keeping a replica on a different computer. Unlike traditional backup methods that prevent
users from getting access to a database during backup, replication allows you to continue making changes online.
You can replicate a database on additional network servers and reassign users to balance the loads across those servers. You can also
give users who need constant access to a database their own replica, thereby reducing the total network traffic.
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Database-replication logs the selected database transactions to a set of internal replication-management tables, which can then be
synchronized to the source database. Database replication is different from file replication, which essentially copies files.
Replication Performance Tuning Tips:
By distributing partitions of data to different Subscribers.

When running SQL Server replication on a dedicated server, consider setting the minimum memory amount for SQL Server to use from
the default value of 0 to a value closer to what SQL Server normally uses.
Don’t publish more data than you need. Try to use Row filter and Column filter options wherever possible as explained above.
Avoid creating triggers on tables that contain subscribed data.
Applications that are updated frequently are not good candidates for database replication.
For best performance, avoid replicating columns in your publications that include TEXT, NTEXT or IMAGE data types.
Thanks to "D J Nagendra", i used his article about sql 2000 replication from codeproject.com view to build the sql 2005 replication version.
thanks
License
This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)
About the Author
Ahmad Eid Salim
Software Developer (Senior)
Egypt
Member
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SQL Server 2005 - Merge Replication Step by Step Procedure - CodeProject http://www.codeproject.com/KB/database/sql2005-replication.aspx?

SQL Server 2005 - Merge Replication Step by Step Views

Terminologies before getting started:

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 supports the following types of replication

1 de 21 27/09/2010 11:38 a.m.

Publication is a collection of articles.

Subscription is a request for copy of data or database objects to be replicated.

2 de 21 27/09/2010 11:38 a.m.

3 de 21 27/09/2010 11:38 a.m.

Before starting the replication process:

EGYPT-AEID: is the publisher server ( contains HRatPublisher )

i will use publisher as subscriber also

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a- Configure the appropriate server as publisher or distributor.

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b- Enable the appropriate database for merge replication

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and configure the security for snapshot agent

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finally rename the publication and click finish

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and so specify the synchronization schedule for each agent.

Run Continuously: add schedule times to be auto run continuously

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and then next up to final step, then click finish

Users can avail the following advantages by using replication process:

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Replication Performance Tuning Tips:

By distributing partitions of data to different Subscribers.

About the Author

Ahmad Eid Salim

Software Developer (Senior)

20 de 21 27/09/2010 11:38 a.m.

Comments and Discussions

PermaLink | Privacy | Terms of Use Copyright 2008 by Ahmad Eid Salim

21 de 21 27/09/2010 11:38 a.m.

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