How replication works

Article:HOWTO81035

Created: 2012-10-24

Updated: 2013-01-30

Article URL http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO81035

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How replication works

Replication enables data to be duplicated between databases on separate sites so that both databases contain the same information. If one database fails, you can manage each site by using the information on the database from the second site.

A partner is a management server on another site with a different management server and database. A site may have as many partners as needed. Each partner, or remote site, connects to the main site or local site, which is the site that you are logged on to. All sites that are set up as partners are considered to be in the same site farm.

Each site you replicate data with is either a replication partner or a site partner. Both replication partners and site partners use multiple management servers, but the database they use and the way in which they communicate is different:

Replication partners can use either an embedded database or a Microsoft SQL Server database. The management servers do not share the database. All replication partners share a common license key.
If you use an embedded database, you can only connect one Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager. If you use the Microsoft SQL Server database, you can connect multiple management servers that share one database. Only one of the management servers needs to be set up as a replication partner.
Site partners share a single Microsoft SQL Server database.

The changes that you make on any partner are duplicated to all other partners. For example, you may want to set up one site at your main office (site 1) and a second site (site 2). Site 2 is a partner to site 1. The databases on site 1 and site 2 are reconciled by using the replication schedule. If a change is made on site 1, it automatically appears on site 2 after replication occurs. If a change is made on site 2, it automatically appears on site 1 after replication occurs. You can also install a third site (site 3) that can replicate data from either site 1 or site 2.

After replication occurs, the database on site 1 and the database on site 2 are the same. Only computer identification information for the servers differs.

Groups and policies are always replicated. You can choose to replicate logs, updated content, and patches.

Figure: How replication works between the main site and two remote sites