ACC: How to Make a Database Replicable (136134)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access for Windows 95 7.0
  • Microsoft Access 97
This article was previously published under Q136134

SUMMARY

Database replication is a feature of Microsoft Jet database engine 3.0 and later that enables you to make special copies of databases (called replicas) so that users can work on their own copies at different locations. At a later time, users can synchronize their copies to ensure that they have consistent, up-to-date records and objects. When you replicate a database, your original database becomes the Design Master for the replica set.

MORE INFORMATION

To implement Microsoft Jet database engine replication, you need to convert a Microsoft Access database into a special, replicable format. There are three ways to make a database replicable:
  • You can drag and drop the database file (.mdb) into the Briefcase on the Windows 95 or later or Windows NT 4.0 desktop.
  • You can use the Create Replica command in Microsoft Access. (Point to Replication on the Tools menu and click Create Replica.)
  • You can use the Replication Manager available with the Microsoft Office 97, Developer Edition or the Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit for Windows 95 version 7.0.
When you convert a database into a replicable format, you are asked to make a backup copy of the database. You should click Yes to create the backup copy because once it is replicable, you cannot return the database to its non-replicated state.

The replication conversion process adds several components, modifies a few properties for existing objects, and adds new properties to a database. Specifically, replication makes the following changes to a database:
  • A minimum of three new fields are added to each data table:
    1. The s_GUID field stores a globally unique identifier for each record.
    2. The s_Lineage field stores binary information about the history of changes to the record.
    3. The s_Generation field stores information about groups of changes. If a table has Memo or OLE data type fields, multiple s_Generation fields are added--one for each Memo or OLE field.
  • Several System tables are added to the database to record the history of exchanges between replicas, the location of other replicas in the replica set, and other information required by the Microsoft Jet database engine.
  • The NewValues property of AutoNumber fields will change from Increment to Random. This prevents any new records from receiving the same value as other new records in different replicas.
  • The Properties collection in Data Access Objects (DAO) has five additional properties: DesignMasterID, KeepLocal, Replicable, ReplicaID, and ReplicationConflictFunction.
  • The Replicable property for each object in the database is set to "T".

REFERENCES

For more information about creating replicas, search the Help Index for "replicas, creating," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.

For more information about changes made to your database when it is replicated, search the Help Index for "replicas, changes to fields and tables," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/20/2003
Keywords:kbhowto kbusage KB136134
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