Managing Publications

This guide covers how to create and manage SQL Server replication publications using the SQL Replication Extension.

Understanding Publications

A publication is a collection of articles (tables, stored procedures, etc.) that you want to replicate to other databases. The SQL Replication Extension supports two types of publications:

  • Snapshot Publications: Create a complete copy of all articles at a specific point in time
  • Transactional Publications: Continuously replicate changes from the publisher to subscribers

Creating a Publication

  1. Access the Publications View

    • Expand your server in the SQL Replication view
    • Right-click the "Publications" folder
    • Select "Create Publication"

  2. Configure Distribution If distribution isn't configured yet, the extension will guide you through setting it up:

    • Choose a distribution database name (default: "distribution")
    • Specify a working directory for snapshot files
    • Configure security settings

  3. Choose Publication Type Select either:

    • Snapshot: For periodic full data synchronization
    • Transactional: For continuous change replication

  4. Name Your Publication

    • Enter a unique name for your publication
    • Select the database containing the articles to publish

  5. Select Articles

    • Choose the tables you want to replicate
    • The extension automatically filters out system tables

Managing Existing Publications

Viewing Publications

  • Expand your server in the SQL Replication view
  • Open the "Publications" folder to see all publications
  • Click on a publication to view its properties

Monitoring Status

  • Check the status indicators next to each publication
  • View agent jobs associated with the publication
  • Access detailed agent history and logs

Common Tasks

  • Start/Stop Agents: Use the play/stop buttons next to agent items
  • View History: Click the history icon to see detailed agent logs
  • Add Subscriptions: Right-click a publication to add subscribers

Best Practices

  1. Naming Conventions

    • Use descriptive names for publications
    • Include the type (snapshot/transactional) in the name
    • Consider including the database name for clarity

  2. Performance Considerations

    • Limit the number of articles to what's necessary
    • Consider table size when choosing publication type
    • Monitor snapshot folder disk space

  3. Security

    • Use Windows Authentication when possible
    • Create dedicated service accounts for replication
    • Regularly review permissions

  4. Maintenance

    • Monitor agent status regularly
    • Set up alerts for failed jobs
    • Keep snapshot folder clean

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Publication Creation Fails

    • Verify distribution is properly configured
    • Check SQL Server Agent is running
    • Ensure sufficient permissions

  2. Snapshot Generation Issues

    • Verify snapshot folder permissions
    • Check available disk space
    • Review agent job history

  3. Article Access Errors

    • Verify schema permissions
    • Check for schema changes
    • Review article properties

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

  1. Check the Output panel for detailed error messages
  2. Review the troubleshooting guide
  3. Search or file issues on GitHub