SQL Server synchronization

[Yair Sageev]

Greetings,

My question is this: We are running MSDE on one of the machines in the
office and using an Access MDB to work with it. We would like to install
the same setup on a laptop so people can work on the road, and then
synchronize the databases when they connect to our network. What is the
best way to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Sounds like you need Replication. Since you're using MSDE, you'll probably
need to look for information about SQL Server replication, not Access
replication.

 

[Jim Young]

Migrate all your databases over to SQL Server (MSDE) and use Merge
replication.

Jim

 

[Yair Sageev]

Thanks both.


In merge replication, is my laptop the publisher or subscriber? Or does it
not make a difference? Also, does it matter if the laptop is not on the
network constantly?

I'm wondering if the msde on the laptop can be configured to merge when it
detects a network connection.

Finally, is merge replication difficult to configure?

Thanks.

 

[J Young]

Your laptop would technically be the subscriber, but with merge replication
both the publisher and subscriber "publish" data. It's just that the
publisher wins out if there is a conflict with data.

One of the great features of merge replication is the ability to disconnect
from a publisher and then reconnect later to merge data back into the
publisher. So, being constantly connected to the same network as the
publisher is not a requirement.

The merge process can be started on the laptop by many means. A simple
VBScript can start the merge agent.

Replication is a huge topic. None of the book about MSSQL deal with the
subject of replication in any depth. Your best bet is to setup a couple of
servers and experiment with replication. Your best reference resource is the
Books Online.

Jim