Replicate / Mirror DB Structure and Data

  • What is the best method to automatically replicate/mirror DB Structure and Data from a Production Server to a Test Server on a daily basis?

  • What's "best" depends on your environment.

    Native SQL Server technologies include:

    1.  A full backup and restore everyday (if your database is small enough and you have enough time)

    2.  Log shipping (can keep your test server fairly up to date)

    3.  Replication (more complex to setup, more complex to replicate schema changes)

     

    -ws

  • the "best" way depends on what you want to accomplish.

    Log Shipping: Any changes made on the production DB including all schema modifications are reflected on your test box. SQL Server 2000 Enterprise is required for both servers (could be setup manually on other versions of SQL 2K). Does not have a drastic affect on performance, bandwith issues could arise

    Transactional Replication: Lets you select which tables you want to keep updated. Only keeps data updated >>> can't replicate schema changes. depending on how often/amount you want to replicate, bandwith and server performance could be an issue.

     

    I would recomend trying both and see which works "best" for your environment.

     

    Enjoy...


    Don't count what you do, do what counts.

    SQL Draggon

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