When a create existing table command is received, it is interpreted as a request to import metadata from the remote or external location of the object for updating system catalogs. Importing this metadata is performed by means of three RPCs sent to the remote server with which the object has been associated:
sp_tables – verifies that the remote object actually exists.
sp_columns – obtains column attributes of the remote object for comparison with those defined in the create existing table command.
sp_statistics – obtains index information in order to update the local system table, sysindexes.
