Replication Technology and Application in SQL Server

The process of copying and distributing database objects from a source to a target database is known as replication. The technology also helps to distribute data to various locations that are near to remote and mobile users. The replication function is conducted over the Internet, wireless connections, any local and wide area network, and dial-up connections.

The advent of the replication technology has helped to solve multiple issues that users, mainly those working in remote locations faced in the past, namely performance and availability issues as well as maintenance problems. With the launch of SQL database replication, cutting-edge tools maintain database copies optimally at multiple and remote locations.

Functionalities of SQL database replication

One of the primary functions of SQL database replication is enhancing the performance of SQL Server databases and availability of information to businesses. This is done by ensuring that data is integrated and loaded into data warehouses, or to cloud-based storage platforms, and finally, copied and distributed to several databases operating from remote places. All these activities can be done regardless of whether a replication expert creates a third-party strategy or the process is implemented through built-in MSSQL replication utilities.

Apart from these aspects, SQL database replication helps to integrate data in data-driven organizations in real-time, resulting in quicker time-to-insight and analytics. This is facilitated by fast synchronization to the main server of all changes and updates made by users in various locations. It is possible because SQL database replication only distributes the part of the tables and views where changes have been made instead of entire database. Further, by using replication with Change Data Capture technology, organizations can accelerate, supplement, and reduce the cost of SQL database replication.

Types of SQL database replication

There are three types of SQL database replication and organizations can choose one of the methods that best optimize their needs.

Snapshot Replication

Here, a copy (snapshot) of the entire database data is taken before moving it to another database either in the same server or in a different one. After the data synchronization is completed, the data in the published tables are refreshed at pre-set intervals to account for any changes and updates.

Transactional Replication

This process of SQL database replication is started on completing the Snapshot Replication. In the second step, data is copied from the publisher to the subscriber/s after which the transactions are moved to the subscriber/s as and when they take place on the publisher.

Merge Replication

This method starts with Snapshot Replication and then merges data from multiple sources into a single central database after changes are made offline on data with publishers and subscribers. After connectivity to the network is restored, SQL database replication combines changes from all subscribers and changes data on the publisher.

Summarizing, SQL database replication merges and replicates data quickly to SQL Server from transactional databases.