How to Sync SS 2008 R2 Production database with different versions of SQL server (2005, 2008)

  • Hi,

    We are upgrading from SS2K5 to latest version. Our environment is 64 bit with standard edition of all sql serves overall. At the moment log-shipping is working from central server to all different backup and reporting servers.

    Now

    Our production server will be SS 2008 R2 (and we have no problem moving that to Denali even in near future...)

    Our backup and reporting servers at few locations, we still want to keep SS2K5 and on some other simple SS 2008.

    Question is how to sync these different version of SQL Servers with production.

    Log-shipping is not possible from higher version to lower...

    Mirroring? but then reporting is not possible?

    Replication from R2 to 2005 and 2008?

    Manual data sync?

    Suggest any other and advice which one is better.

    Thanks.

  • Replication or manual are your only options. Mirroring won't work down-version.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Hi,

    Manal Sync is quite tedius and maintenance cost is very high.

    Do you know, if replication from R2 to 2005/08 is really possible and will really work? and without any version problem like log-shipping?

    What are the things to consider in such replication? i just want to sync once a day.

    thanks.

  • It'll work, you just have to be sure you've got no 2008-specific features (no DATE, no TIME, etc)

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Any joy?

    Ok now we are moving to a next level. Now every server is either 2008 R2 OR 2008.

    Do we now have any better choice?

  • For 2008, same thing. Replication or manual. It will work providing you use no features that aren't supported on the lower version.

    For 2008 R2 to 2008 R2, depends on your requirements. Do you want the other server read-write? If so, replication. Read only and with a latency compared to production, mirroring with snapshot or log shipping.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

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