SQL CE Synchronization without internet
Hello All,
I have a server with SQL Server 2000
installed on it. I have created a tool that runs on a Pocket PC with
SQL CE backend. Multiple clients would be using the tool on diferent
Pocket PCs. I would have to use Merge Replication for synchronization
and since the Pocket PCs would not have internet / network access, I
understand that I would need to use Merge Replication synchronization
technique through SQL CE Relay. (Please correct me if I am going wrong
somewhere.)
I am having trouble trying to set up Merge Replication. Can I get some help with this?
Also, it would be greatly appreciated if I can get some guidance on the following:
Do I need to set up Merge Replication on the SQL Server 2000 first and
then use the relay agent commands (such as register, etc) associated
with the Relay Agent that comes with SQL CE? What would be the
procedure to use Merge Replication through Relay.
Any guidance and help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Abhi.
Abhilash,
I have not heard anyone ask about SQL CE Relay in quite a while - it is a feature that was created to accommodate older devices (we're talking Windows CE 2 and 3 ) with no network adapter other than the ability to cradle and synch to a desktop with Activesync. My first suggestion to you would be to consider whether your users are really using devices with no network adapters in them. It's highly unlikely unless they own devices from about the 2000-2002 timeframe. If they do have network capabilities, I would avoid using SQL CE Relay just because I don't think much has been invested to update it with support for Windows XP, WinServer 2003, IIS 6, ActicSync 4, etc. Read this:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsqlce/html/sqlcerelay.asp
to get a sense of how old this technology is. I'm not sure what level of support exists for it now or if it will work with newer versions of the SQL CE server tools.
If your users will have devices that do have network capabilities, just use ActiveSync passthrough or a wireless connection and drive the merge replication programatically. The SQL CE Books OnLine have basic information on configuring merge replication and there are also some papers on MSDN that help out as well.
http://search.msdn.microsoft.com/search/results.aspx?qu=sql+ce+merge+replication&View=msdn&st=b&c=4&s=1&swc=4
-Darren
Hi Darren,
Thanks for the prompt reply. I went through
the article you suggested.It appears Relay is one way to achieve what I
am looking for, but is outdated.
To be more precise, this is what I am looking
for a synchronization technique (between SQLCE and SQL Server
2000) for a PPC which can not connect to the internet and does not have
a network card. I am not sure at this stage if the device would be
equipped with a network adapter.The sync technique need not be Merge
Replication. I realized that I can do with RDA too, which makes my job
much easier.
Could you please suggest me alternatives or
any available solution to deal with the problem for a PPC with /
without a network adapter.
Thanks in advance!
Abhi.
Hey Darren,
I have a similar need. Our PDAs are network capable, but we do not have a wireless network so I need to be able to syncronize my subscriptions through an ActiveSync connection.
I had looked at SQL CE Relay at first, but because there was no updated information for SQL Mobile, I abandoned that notion. I would like for my SQL Mobile database to automatically syncronized when it is docked and ActiveSync runs through its syncronization. I don't want my users to have to open my application and click on anything.
Is this even possible?
Thanks,
Lee
