Sync Framework with SQL DB's: Getting Started

Question

I have an app that uses SQL Enterprise to store all data in 4 different DB's. I needed to build in the ability to work "offline" for my users. I accomplished this through Merge Replication to local SQL Express installs for everyone. This "Works" but feels like the sledge hammer approach.

For instance, I am replicating all 14000 people to every DB when any individual user may only EVER interact with a 100 or so. That's not even counting the fact that they would NEVER interact with more then 5 ish in between connections to the Central DB's.

What I am looking for is tips, pointers, and, maybe, a nice tutorial on Sync Framework 2(with Databases). First hand accounts on what worked for you and why would also be most welcome. I have yet to come across a clear and concise(not to mention current) tutorial for working with Sync Framework.

My specifics are MS SQL Server 2005 or 2008, any version. Any .Net version(3.5 or 4). The current data layer is all LinqToSQL. There are not any Sprocs currently in use.

My thoughts, so far, are to only sync each workers assigned caseloads and associated data. Ideally, we would go straight to a "Check In/Check Out" format where they select the members they plan to go visit and it then syncs the necessary data.

As a bonus, could someone tell me what this is referred to as? I come across "Occasionally Connected" all the time but that seems inaccurate. It would be more accurate to call them "Occasionally DIS-Connected", thoughts?

Answer 1

We ve been using Sync framework in couple of our projects (one with sql server, one with PGsql) so I can say that it works fairly well.

Check out this walkthrough application to get an idea of what you can do.

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/sync/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=4835

This will show you how to synchronize data between multiple sql server databases. You can also customize the 'increments' stored procedures to take custom parameters and filter data based on these parameters (for instance people the client-user is planning to visit).

I will also suggest that you use a reflector to decompile Sync framework code in case you see wierd errors - sometimes it is not possible to figure out where the error is till you see the exception getting caught in the framework code. Redgate works perfectly for me!

Let me know if you need more help!