SQL Server Database Replication

What is SQL Server Database Replication?

SQL Server database replication refers to a set of technologies which copy and distribute data and objects from one database to another and maintain consistency and integrity between these databases through synchronization. SQL Server replication can be run continuously or at predetermined intervals and data synchronization can be based on four main approaches: bi-directional, one-way, one-to-many, and many-to-one. Data replication is one of the three primary data integration use cases.

SQL Server Database Replication: Replication Types Supported by SQL Server

Through embedded SQL database replication technology, SQL Server supports three types of replication: snapshot, transactional, and merge replication. Snapshot replication is a single unidirectional push of all data and database objects from the source database, referred to as the publisher, to the target database, or subscriber. Transactional database replication, which is the most common SQL Server database replication type, delivers a near real-time copy of individual database transactions from the publisher to the subscriber(s) when changes to the publisher are detected by a replication agent.

A type of bidirectional SQL Server replication, merge replication is typically used in server-to-client environments to synchronize data across systems which cannot be continuously connected. When publisher and subscriber are connected, a merge replication agent detects changes on both systems and modifies each system accordingly.

Implement SQL Server Database Replication More Easily and With Greater Flexibility

If you're looking for a SQL Server database replication tool that offers flexibility and ease of use, we encourage you to consider Qlik Replicate® in your database replication tool comparison. Replicate is a high-performance, low-impact data replication solution that helps you ingest, replicate, distribute, and consolidate data efficiently across all major databases, data warehouses, Hadoop, and the cloud.

Replicate accelerates zero-downtime database migrations and leverages a unique change data capture technology to enable real-time data integration without significantly impacting IT operations. With Replicate, there's no need to install intrusive agents on either source or target systems, and you can define, configure, and manage replication processes from our intuitive, web-based Click-2-Replicate designer. Replicate automates the replication of database schemas, full tables, and incremental changes while supporting user-defined filtering and table or column changes.