I've inherited an old SQL Server database with 4 machines: production_server(2008.r2), DPM_server(DPM 2007), and two replication_server1(2008.r2) replication_server2(2012). SQL Server had to be reinstalled on replication_server2, and so all data on that machine was lost.
I need to get transaction replication from production_server to this server back online without hammering the production server to create the initial snapshot.
Is it possible to use my DPM server to provide a recent copy of the data, Either via a Backup or snapshot?
Or, Is it possible to have replication_server1 provide the initial snapshot, and then point it to the production_server publication once everything has caught up?
I haven't been able to find clear answers in the documentation, thanks in advance for your time.
Best Answer
This steps will implement your second option.
You will setup replication normally between repl1 and repl2. Use the same distribution server that you will use when you setup prod-->repl2 server.
Once downtime start (confirm app servers are not making any new connection/writing to Production publishing articles):
sp_addsubscription
. See details here.You can use this query to find undelivered commands in distribution database.