Hello,
I would like to know what alternatives are avaliable to SQL Server Merge Replication. I am also looking for Third Party Tools. Can anyone name a few for me.
Microsoft supplied alternatives: RDA (Remote data access), ADO.NET Synchronization Services (currentluy in beta), ASP.NET Web Services (rolling your own).|||Is ADO.NET Synchronization Services as powerful as Merge Replication?|||Just a hunch on why you might be looking for alternatives:
I know many developers are implementing alternatives to RDA and replications in effort to reduce number of CALs required for SQL Server. They believe what if N devices are connected to this “alternative” and “alternative” connects to SQL Server you only need one CAL as there’s only one physical connection to SQL Server. That is, however, not the case and SQL Server EULA has a clause about “through proxy” connection to prevent that scenario so you would need N CALs regardless. If that’s the reason you’re looking for alternatives you might just use RDA/Replication and save time and money on development.
Another reason for alternatives is security –developers don’t want IIS installed as they believe it’s unsecure. If that’s the case I would like to point out IIS has been around for years and runs on millions of hosts around the globe. Thinking self made solution would me more secure is quite perky.
