Managing Subscriptions

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

Understanding Subscriptions

A subscription defines how a database receives replicated data from a publication. The SQL Replication Extension supports two types of subscriptions:

  • Push Subscriptions: The distributor pushes changes to subscribers
  • Pull Subscriptions: Subscribers request changes from the distributor

Creating a Subscription

  1. Access the Subscriptions View

    • Expand your server in the SQL Replication view
    • Either:
      • Right-click a publication to subscribe to it
      • Right-click the "Subscriptions" folder to browse available publications

  2. Choose Subscription Type Select either:

    • Push: Better for immediate synchronization, managed at publisher
    • Pull: Better for occasional synchronization, managed at subscriber

  3. Configure Database

    • Select or create the subscriber database
    • The database name can be different from the publisher

  4. Set Synchronization Options Choose when to initialize the subscription:

    • Immediate: Start synchronization right away
    • Automatic: Wait for next snapshot
    • Manual: Initialize later manually

  5. Configure Security

    • Choose authentication mode for remote connections
    • Set up service account permissions if needed

Managing Existing Subscriptions

Viewing Subscriptions

  • Expand your server in the SQL Replication view
  • Open the "Subscriptions" folder
  • Click a subscription to view its properties

Common Tasks

  1. Reinitialize Subscription

    • Right-click the subscription
    • Select "Reinitialize"
    • Choose synchronization options
    • Monitor initialization progress

  2. Monitor Status

    • Check status indicators
    • View agent job history
    • Monitor synchronization progress

  3. Drop Subscription

    • Right-click the subscription
    • Select "Drop Subscription"
    • Confirm the removal

Best Practices

  1. Subscription Planning

    • Choose appropriate subscription type based on needs
    • Consider network bandwidth and latency
    • Plan for initialization time with large databases

  2. Performance Optimization

    • Monitor agent job performance
    • Schedule initializations during off-peak hours
    • Configure appropriate retry intervals

  3. Security Considerations

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

  4. Maintenance Tasks

    • Monitor subscription status
    • Check for synchronization delays
    • Validate data consistency periodically

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Initialization Failures

    • Verify network connectivity
    • Check permissions on both sides
    • Review snapshot availability

  2. Synchronization Delays

    • Monitor distribution agent
    • Check for blocking processes
    • Verify agent job status

  3. Security Errors

    • Verify service account permissions
    • Check network security settings
    • Review firewall configurations

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

  1. Check the Output panel for error messages
  2. Review agent job history
  3. See our troubleshooting guide
  4. File issues on GitHub