Publishing entity and link data

The following section describes how to publish the entity and link data in the main iBase database. The procedure for publishing the security and audit data is slightly different. There are some optional steps at the end of the procedure that are required if you need to transfer the initial snapshot of data to the subscriber sites by using removable media rather than over a communications link.

Before you begin

Before you can configure the Publisher, the iBase administrator should have prepared the database, and advised whether Audit History is being used.

Use the same server for all publications of iBase data.

About this task

To create a publication for entity and link data, whether for a new database or a database that is already replicated, follow these steps. You should accept all the default options unless indicated otherwise in the instructions.

Procedure

  1. From the Object Explorer list, select Replication > Local Publications, right-click and select New Publication.
    • Server: select the server that is also the Publisher of the entity and link data for the iBase system. (Use the same server for all publications.)
  2. On the Publication Database page, select the existing database that contains the iBase entity and link data that you want to publish.
  3. On the Publication Type page, select Merge publication.
  4. On the Subscriber Types page, ensure that only SQL Server 2008 or later is selected.
  5. On the Articles page, expand the Tables node. Select these iBase system tables:
    OptionDescription
    _ AccessDenied iBase system table that stores data for Data Access Control groups.
    _Codes iBase system table that stores the contents of pick lists, icon lists, and SCC lists.
    _DataTable_Audit Select this only if you are using Audit History.
    _Field_Audit Select this only if you are using Audit History.
    _ GlobalConfiguration iBase system table that stores the online/offline status of the database.
    _ LinkEnd iBase system table that stores the link connections made by users between entity records, the link direction, link strength, and the Security Classification codes (SCC codes).
    _ ReplicationFiles iBase system table that stores any files uploaded to the database. If this table is missing, cancel the publication and ask the iBase administrator to initialize the database for replication.
    iBase user tables You must replicate all the user tables in the iBase database. There is one table for each user-defined object in the database schema. User table names do not start with an underscore.
    Note: Do not include the tables beginning _AL_, _FTS_, the SQL Server system tables or the remainder of the iBase system tables. These iBase system tables are not designed for replication— the names of these system tables begin with an underscore.
  6. If you are using Audit History, in Article Properties, for all the selected tables, set Copy User Triggers to False.
  7. Accept any article issues that are reported.
    Typically SQL Server warns that “ Uniqueidentifier columns will be added to tables”.
  8. Enter the publication name. For example, iBase_entity_and_link_data.
  9. Generate the publication in the usual way.
  10. Set the publication property Anonymous pull subscriptions to False as this option is not supported.
    Note: Do not change any other publication properties. Specifically, allowing anonymous pull subscriptions invalidates the publication.
  11. If you are replicating this database for the first time and you need to transfer the initial snapshot to each Subscriber using removable media, then perform a full backup of the database.  

What to do next

After you create the publication:

  1. Restrict access to the tables in the SQL Server database. For more information, see Managing access to data and functions.
  2. Back up the databases. For more information, see:
    • The Administration Center document Creating and Maintaining Databases, for information on backing up iBase connection files
    • Microsoft SQL Server documentation for information on backing up the replicated SQL Server databases
  3. Tell the iBase administrator that the security data at the Publisher is configured for replication.