Replication is the process of sharing data between databases in different locations. Using replication, we can create copies of the database and share the copy with different users so that they can make changes to their local copy of database and later synchronize the changes to the source databaseIntroductionReplication is a set of technologies for copying and distributing data and database objects from one database to another and then synchronizing between databases to maintain consistency. Using replication, you can distribute data to different locations and to remote or mobile users over local and wide area networks, dial-up connections, wireless connections, and the Internet. Replication is the process of sharing data between databases in different locations. Using replication, we can create copies of the database and share the copy with different users so that they can make changes to their local copy of database and later synchronize the changes to the source database.Terminologies before getting started:Microsoft SQL Server 2000 supports the following types of replicationPublisher is a server that makes the data available for subscription to other servers. In addition to that, publisher also identifies what data has changed at the subscriber during the synchronizing process. Publisher contains publication(s).Subscriber is a server that receives and maintains the published data. Modifications to the data at subscriber can be propagated back to the publisher.Distributor is the server that manages the flow of data through the replication system. Two types of distributors are present, one is remote distributor and the other one local distributor. Remote distributor is separate from publisher and is configured as distributor for replication. Local distributor is a server that is configured as publisher and distributor.Agents are the processes that are responsible for copying and distributing data between publisher and subscriber. There are different types of agents supporting different types of replication.Snapshot Agent is an executable file that prepares snapshot files containing schema and data of published tables and database objects, stores the files in the snapshot folder, and records synchronization jobs in the distribution database.An article can be any database object, like Tables (Column filtered or Row filtered), Views, Indexed views, Stored Procedures, and User defined functions.Publication is a collection of articles.Subscription is a request for copy of data or database objects to be replicated. Replication TypesMicrosoft SQL Server 2005 supports the following types of replication:Snapshot Replication Transactional Replication Merge Replication Snapshot ReplicationSnapshot replication is also known as static replication. Snapshot replication copies and distributes data and database objects exactly as they appear at the current moment in time. Subscribers are updated with complete modified data and not by individual transactions, and are not continuous in nature. This type is mostly used when the amount of data to be replicated is small and data/DB objects are static or does not change frequently. Transactional ReplicationTransactional replication is also known as dynamic replication. In transactional replication, modifications to the publication at the publisher are propagated to the subscriber incrementally. Publisher and the subscriber are always in synchronization and should always be connected. This type is mostly used when subscribers always need the latest data