Sybase® Replication Server® maintains replicated data at multiple sites on a network. Organizations with geographically distant sites can use Replication Server to create distributed database applications with better performance and data availability than a centralized database system can provide.
This book introduces heterogeneous replication concepts, and it addresses the issues peculiar to heterogeneous replication with Sybase replication technology.
In this book, the term heterogeneous replication refers to replication between different types of data servers (for example, replicating from an Informix database to a Sybase Adaptive Server® Enterprise database).
This book also addresses the issues involved with replication between non-Sybase data servers of the same type (for example, replicating from one Oracle database to another Oracle database).
The Replication Server Heterogeneous Replication Guide is for anyone who needs to plan, design, implement, or maintain a Sybase replication system with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
If you are new to Replication Server, refer to the Replication Server Design Guide for an introduction to basic data replication concepts and Sybase replication technology.
This book is divided into four parts:
Part 1, “Introduction,” provides an overview of data replication concepts and Sybase replication technology, and it introduces the issues specific to replication systems with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers. It contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1, “Sybase Replication System Overview,” introduces replication system concepts, with a focus on heterogeneous replication using Sybase replication technology.
Chapter 2, “Sybase Replication Tools,” introduces the Sybase software products that you can use to implement a replication system with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
Chapter 3, “Heterogeneous Replication Issues,” describes the issues and problems that are peculiar to heterogeneous replication, and that must be addressed in a successful replication system.
Part 2, “Component-Specific Issues,” describes the issues you must consider for each component of a heterogeneous replication system, and explains how to address those issues. It contains the following chapters:
Chapter 4, “Data Server Issues,” describes the issues and considerations for specific non-Sybase data servers in a Sybase replication system.
Chapter 5, “Replication Server Issues,” describes the issues related to using Sybase Replication Server in a replication system with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
Part 3, “Implementing Heterogeneous Replication,” describes how to set up and maintain a replication system using Replication Server with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers. It contains the following chapters:
Chapter 6, “Using RSM to Set Up Replication Systems,” introduces the Replication Server Manager™ (RSM) and describes how to use it to set up a replication system.
Chapter 7, “Replication System Configuration Examples,” describes several configuration options for a Sybase replication system with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers, and explains the issues involved with each configuration.
Chapter 8, “Administering Heterogeneous Replication Systems,” describes administration tasks for replication systems with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
Chapter 9, “Troubleshooting Heterogeneous Replication Systems,” describes common problems and troubleshooting procedures for replication systems with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
Part 4, “Appendixes,” contains supplemental information in the following appendixes:
Appendix A, “Datatype Translation and Mapping,” lists the class-level datatype translations for all non-Sybase data servers supported by Replication Server, and lists Replication Server datatype names for non-Sybase datatypes.
Appendix B, “Materialization Issues,” describes the materialization issues that you need to consider when implementing a replication system with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
Appendix C, “Heterogeneous Database Reconciliation,” describes the issues involved with reconciling data from different databases in a replication system with heterogeneous or non-Sybase data servers.
Appendix D, “Replication with Adaptive Server Anywhere,” describes primary and replicate data server issues for Adaptive Server Anywhere in a Sybase replication system.
The Sybase Replication Server documentation set consists of the following:
The release bulletin for your platform – contains last-minute information that was too late to be included in the books.
A more recent version of the release bulletin may be available on the World Wide Web. To check for critical product or document information that was added after the release of the product CD, use the Sybase Technical Library.
Installation Guide for your platform – describes installation and upgrade procedures for all Replication Server and related products.
What’s New in Replication Server? – describes the new features in Replication Server version 12.6 and the system changes added to support those features.
Administration Guide – contains an introduction to replication systems. This manual includes information and guidelines for creating and managing a replication system, setting up security, recovering from system failures, and improving performance.
Configuration Guide for your platform – describes configuration procedures for all Replication Server and related products, and explains how to use the rs_init configuration utility.
Design Guide – contains information about designing a replication system and integrating heterogeneous data servers into a replication system.
Getting Started with Replication Server – provides step-by-step instructions for installing and setting up a simple replication system.
Heterogeneous Replication Guide – describes how to use Replication Server to replicate data between databases supplied by different vendors.
Reference Manual – contains the syntax and detailed descriptions of Replication Server commands in the Replication Command Language (RCL); Replication Server system functions; Sybase Adaptive Server commands, system procedures, and stored procedures used with Replication Server; Replication Server executable programs; and Replication Server system tables.
System Tables Diagram – illustrates system tables and their entity relationships in a poster format. Available only in print version.
Troubleshooting Guide – contains information to aid in diagnosing and correcting problems in the replication system.
Replication Server plug-in help, which contains information about using Sybase Central™ to manage Replication Server.
Use the Sybase Getting Started CD, the Sybase Technical Library CD and the Technical Library Product Manuals Web site to learn more about your product:
The Getting Started CD contains release bulletins and installation guides in PDF format, and may also contain other documents or updated information not included on the Technical Library CD. It is included with your software. To read or print documents on the Getting Started CD you need Adobe Acrobat Reader (downloadable at no charge from the Adobe Web site, using a link provided on the CD).
The Technical Library CD contains product manuals and is included with your software. The DynaText reader (included on the Technical Library CD) allows you to access technical information about your product in an easy-to-use format.
Refer to the Technical Library Installation Guide in your documentation package for instructions on installing and starting the Technical Library.
The Technical Library Product Manuals Web site is an HTML version of the Technical Library CD that you can access using a standard Web browser. In addition to product manuals, you will find links to EBFs/Updates, Technical Documents, Case Management, Solved Cases, newsgroups, and the Sybase Developer Network.
To access the Technical Library Product Manuals Web site, go to Product Manuals.
Technical documentation at the Sybase Web site is updated frequently.
Finding the latest information on product certifications
Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.
Select Products from the navigation bar on the left.
Select a product name from the product list and click Go.
Select the Certification Report filter, specify a time frame, and click Go.
Click a Certification Report title to display the report.
Creating a personalized view of the Sybase Web
site (including support pages)
Set up a MySybase profile. MySybase is a free service that allows you to create a personalized view of Sybase Web pages.
Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.
Click MySybase and create a MySybase profile.
Finding the latest information on EBFs and software
maintenance
Point your Web browser to the Sybase Support Page.
Select EBFs/Maintenance. Enter user name and password information, if prompted (for existing Web accounts) or create a new account (a free service).
Select a product.
Specify a time frame and click Go.
Click the Info icon to display the EBF/Maintenance report, or click the product description to download the software.
The following style conventions are used in this manual:
In a sample screen display, commands that you should enter exactly as shown are in:
this font
In a sample screen display, words that you should replace with the appropriate value for your installation are shown in:
this font
In the regular text of this document, the names of files and directories appear like this:
/usr/u/sybase
In the regular text of this document, the names of programs, utilities, procedures, and commands appear like this:
bcp
The conventions for syntax statements in this manual are as follows:
Key |
Definition |
|---|---|
command |
Command names, command option names, utility names, utility flags, and other keywords. |
variable |
Variables, or words that stand for values that you fill in. |
{ }
|
Curly braces indicate that you must choose at least one of the enclosed options. Do not include braces in your option. |
[ ] |
Brackets mean that choosing one or more of the enclosed options is optional. Do not include brackets in your option. |
( ) |
Parentheses are to be typed as part of the command. |
| |
The vertical bar means you can select only one of the options shown. |
, |
The comma means you can choose as many of the options shown as you like, separating your choices with commas that you type as part of the command. |
Each Sybase installation that has purchased a support contract has one or more designated people who are authorized to contact Sybase Technical Support. If you cannot resolve a problem using the manuals or online help, please have the designated person contact Sybase Technical Support or the Sybase subsidiary in your area.
