FIX: Non-convergence Problem with Merge Replication

ID: Q239015

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SQL Server version 7.0

BUG #: 56064 (SQLBUG_70)

SYMPTOMS

Merge replication does not converge changes under the following conditions:

A parent/child relationship exists between two published tables without defining foreign key relationships. Instead, a join filter is used to define the relationship.

-and-

At the subscriber, a row is inserted that is subsequently modified after the Merge Agent is started. A typical example of this scenario would be a case where a row is inserted in the parent table and then a large number of rows are inserted into the child table, each of which is accompanied by an update to the parent table (either as a part of the same transaction or in a trigger).

Under these circumstances, Merge Agent will request a new generation for the updates and the inserts when it begins to process records. The inserts and updates that are processed after the Merge Agent begins will be converged. However, the inserts and updates that occurred before the Merge Agent started will not be converged. This results in the data not being synchronized between the publisher and the subscriber.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next SQL Server service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:


   File name        Platform
   -------------------------

   S70714i.exe      Intel
   S70714a.exe      Alpha

NOTE: Due to file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains the above files may also contain additional files.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 7.0.

Additional query words: merge out of sync synch sync'ed synch'ed corrupt incorrect data

Keywords : SSrvRep kbbug7.00
Version : winnt:7.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug