At emediaIT we have had the need to synchronise or replicate data and in some cases data schemas from different sources for various projects and producuts. Over the years there have various approaches to accomplish this, but lately the Sync Framework has been of particular interest, specificially as an alternative to replication. The image above is taken from an article which can be found at...
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/sync/cc470041.aspx
...which provides a good overview of when the different options could be used.
One of the major drawbacks of using Sync Services for ADO.NET as it stands is its need for the local database cache to be SQL Compact Edition v3.5. If this changes to also support say the SQL Server 2008 Express Edition (Which has support for Full Text Search, Reporting Services etc) it would be awesome. From...
https://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/express.aspx
...it looks like it just might.
If not, it would seem that going for the Sync Framework with custom providers is the best option in terms of having the most control/flexibility if support for advanced database server functionality is required or if you require support for completely different data stores.
Comments