Matrix of Backup and Restore Strategies for Merge Replication

More complex replication topologies will generally require a more extensive recovery strategy that includes coordinated backups.

This table indicates the recommended recovery strategy for each backup approach and failure situation. The number displayed corresponds to a strategy listed in the key following the table.

Topology/strategy	Publisher fails	Distributor fails	Subscriber fails
Single Publisher for each Subscriber:
Back up Publisher	2	1	5
Back up Publisher and Distributor	3	4	5
Back up Publisher and Subscriber(s)	2	1	6
Back up Publisher, Distributor, and Subscriber(s)	3	4	6
Single Subscriber and multiple Publishers:
Back up Publisher	2	1	5
Back up Publisher and Distributor	3	4	5
Back up Publisher and Subscriber(s)	2	1	6
Back up Publisher, Distributor, and Subscriber(s)	3	4	6

Key

There are six basic strategies for recovering merge replication:

Reenable replication.
Restore Publisher database, and then resynchronize with each Subscriber.
Restore Publisher(s) database and distribution database, and then resynchronize with each Subscriber.
Restore distribution database only.
Drop and re-create subscription(s).
Restore Subscriber database, and then resynchronize with each Publisher.

For more information on these six basic strategies for recovering merge replication, see Strategies for Restoring Merge Replication. For more information about replication topologies, see Topology Types.