When a server is designated as a Publisher, you must specify a Distributor for that Publisher. Either the local server or a remote server can act as the Distributor for the Publisher.
When you configure either a local or a remote Distributor, specify a distribution database. Set up the distribution database before the dependent Publishers are configured.
To create a Distributor, sysadmin permissions are necessary. You can create a Distributor using SQL Server Enterprise Manager or by using system stored procedures.
You can create a Distributor using SQL Server Enterprise Manager in two ways. With the Configure Publishing and Distribution Wizard, you can configure a server as a Publisher and Distributor, or configure it as a dedicated Distributor, without enabling it as a Publisher. With the Create Publication Wizard, you can configure the local server as a Distributor for the local Publisher or choose a remote Distributor for the Publisher.
Important If you use a remote Distributor, make sure the Snapshot Agent that runs at the Publisher can access the snapshot folder on the Distributor. The Snapshot Agent must have NTFS Full Control permission on the snapshot folder. Without the proper access, the Snapshot Agent is prevented from writing the snapshot files to the Distributor.
Similarly, if you pull subscriptions or data from a remote Distributor, make sure the Distribution Agent or Merge Agent that runs at the Subscriber can access the snapshot folder on the Distributor. The Distribution Agent or Merge Agent must have read permission on the snapshot folder. Without the proper access, the Distribution or Merge Agents are prevented from reading from the files on the Distributor.
On a Distributor server running Microsoft® Windows NT®, the snapshot folder defaults to using the <drive>$ share and a path of \\<computer>\<drive>$\Mssql7\Repldata.
On a Distributor server running Microsoft Windows® 95/98, the snapshot folder defaults to using the <drive> without a share and a path of \\<computer>\<drive>\Mssql7\Repldata. If your application requires the ability to create pull subscriptions on a server running Windows 95/98, you must change the snapshot folder to a network path accessible by replication agents running at the Publisher and Subscribers. You can change the local path to a network path by sharing the folder manually.
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