It is possible to configure a Microsoft® SQL Server™ version 6.5 Publisher to use a SQL Server 7.0 installation as a remote Distributor. This topology provides a way to stagger the upgrade of SQL Server installations participating in a replication application. In addition, when using a SQL Server 7.0 Distributor to service a SQL Server 6.5 Publisher, you can take advantage of the greatly improved monitoring capability of SQL Server 7.0 replication.
You can configure a SQL Server 6.5 Publisher to use a SQL Server 7.0 Distributor by registering the SQL Server 6.5 Server in SQL Server Enterprise Manager 7.0 and configuring it as a Publisher.
To enable a Publisher
To register a SQL Server 7.0 Distributor in SQL Server 6.5 Enterprise Manager
To configure the SQL Server 6.5 Publisher to use a SQL Server 7.0 Distributor
To create a SQL Server 6.5 publication