SQL Server Express database replication/synchronization

Question

Situation: Hi, I'm coding using Lightswitch (C#) and am thinking of deploying to multiple sites the same application and database.

The databases need to be synchronized/replicated to each other so each would have a merged database. However connectivity between the sites is not going to be 100%, so the synchronization/replication would be done whenever the connection is possible.

Question:

Would it be possible to accomplish this through SQL Server Express? If not, what would be the best way to accomplish this by code? Thanks!

Answer 1

SQL Server Express 2008 can be a subscriber but not a publisher, see details here:

Replication Considerations (SQL Server Express)

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express (SQL Server Express) can serve as a Subscriber for all types of replication, providing a convenient way to distribute data to client applications that use SQL Server Express. When using SQL Server Express in a replication topology, consider the following:

SQL Server Express cannot serve as a Publisher or Distributor.

Answer 2

SQL Express doesn't support replication (except as a subscriber, as Davide pointed out). I think your best bet would probably be a windows service that keeps track of table names and the most recent timestamp processed.

Integration Services is also an option if you have a server to run it on.

Do you need data to be moving one-way or both ways?