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SQL Server 2005 Replication and Sync Question
Brad - August 8th, 2008 at 10:06 PM

Ok Internet Geeks ... I am in search of someone who "Actually" knows about and has worked with SQL Server 2005 and in particular Replication and Sync.

I am currently working on an applications that runs a SQL Server 2005 Back end with a Dot.Net (prim c# / asp.net) architecture up front. Anyway I am developing and "Unplugged" capability so a laptop can be unplugged from the network and operate offline for a period of time and will then resync when plugged back in. For obvious reasons I will need to replicate the current data within the SQL instance prior to unplug so that all relevant records are availible off line.

I am aware that SQL Server 2005 has a replication and sync ability but am looking for someone who has actually used it / set it up / lessons learnt.

If I am not happy with the level of protection it offers for over writes and orphans I will be looking at hitting the DB through custom objects and writting my own sync methods to work within the objects and offer protection and validation. I would preffr not to do this as I am a little short on time.

Any takers ? or Information ?

Gibbo - August 8th, 2008 at 10:16 PM

I have a few contacts @ work, gimmie a day or so mate.

Trying to get hold of someone now.

Brad - August 8th, 2008 at 10:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gibbo
I have a few contacts @ work, gimmie a day or so mate.

Trying to get hold of someone now.


Cool, no real rush I am away at the moment doing user needs stuff and have more than enough to keep me busy. Still keen to talk to people who actually do it.

555bug - August 8th, 2008 at 10:36 PM

Brad the ECM stuff i work with has a similar facility but they all cheat so to speak as if you want to work on a record then you check it out (lock the record) then the only person than can perform an update is the same user than locked the record. This way you don't run into issues with sync issues and rolling back transactions. If you truly have a requirement for replication with multi user transactions then I believe Oracle RAC is a much better choice but the DBA's out there will pipe up I'm sure

Brad - August 8th, 2008 at 10:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 555bug
Brad the ECM stuff i work with has a similar facility but they all cheat so to speak as if you want to work on a record then you check it out (lock the record) then the only person than can perform an update is the same user than locked the record. This way you don't run into issues with sync issues and rolling back transactions. If you truly have a requirement for replication with multi user transactions then I believe Oracle RAC is a much better choice but the DBA's out there will pipe up I'm sure


mm yes and not really an issue. WIthin the local site no record locking needs to occur due to the DB design and the way in which the objects hit the DB. The front end takes care of record managment.

I am only concerned with being able to replicate say every 4 hrs from the disconnected instance to the main instance. The actual on site running of the DB GUI is already taken care of.

I can even go one step further and loc the DB at time of replication or use SubscriptionStreams to pick it up on the turn around.

The disconnected instance may just be one laptop being used without a connection at all and when it comes back say 2 weeks later I need to be able to bring the modified DB off it back onto the main instance.

Gibbo - August 9th, 2008 at 07:48 PM

Sorry mate, no reply back from my guy yet, Im guessing it will be monday before I have some answers now. grrr

Gibbo - August 11th, 2008 at 10:24 AM

Yeah, sorry mate, he hasnt done anything with replication on 2005 yet.

He did suggest you maybe look at SQL express for loading onto the laptop.