Distributed Databases (was Replication Server)

Jeff Pekar (jpekar_at_blkbox.com) wrote:
: Has anyone reading this used replication server for reporting or backup
: puposes? If so, could you contact me at jpekar_at_blkbox.com and let me
: know of your experience with it. Specifically, did you having problems
: keeping your databases in sync, were there any unforeseen problems, etc.

I haven't used Replication Server, but am writing a paper which I am researching now on the different mechanisms for distributed databases. As far as I can tell, Sybase Replication server uses "log sniffing", while Oracle bases its replication upon transaction detection and triggers. I would wlecome comments on the differences and similarities, and some of the following questions:

1. Which replication mechanism is superior, and what are the trade-offs?
2. How does each method solve the problem of roll-backs?
3. Can replication be made to work in a heterogenous environment?
4. Should replication occur within the database or in the app?

I'd be happy to post of draft of my paper if anyone is mildly interested.

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