I'm trying out SQL Server 2008 Express Edition and I'm interested in trying the replication features. Is there a publicly available database to which I could set up a replication subscription?
A:
Not that I know of.
The Publisher's SQL Server platform would need to have administrative changes made to it in order to add your SQL Server instance as a subscriber, so it is quite unlikely you will find what you are looking for.
That said, if you come across something let me know.
Cheers, John
John Sansom
2009-02-12 17:28:31
So you can't publish to anonymous subscribers, like perhaps FTP, CVS or SVN?
Liam
2009-02-17 11:39:10
No, SQL Server doesn't work that way.
Brent Ozar
2009-02-25 13:22:04
Thanks for qualifying this further Brent, much appreciated.
John Sansom
2009-02-25 15:20:00
+1
A:
No, but you can set up a second instance of SQL Server (Developer, Standard or Enterprise) on your same machine and do replication between the two of them, or use a second computer, or a virtual machine on your computer. For a free virtualization solution, check out VMware Server. That's great for learning things like this where you want to test how things work with multiple machines involved.
Brent Ozar
2009-02-21 18:06:48
I thought SQL Server Express could only subscribe to a publisher, but not be a publisher itself?
Jess
2009-03-07 02:48:20
You're right! I didn't even think about that. I edited the answer to clarify the editions. Thanks!
Brent Ozar
2009-03-07 11:33:21
+2
A:
You can't use a second copy of sql server express edition as some suggested. The expres editions can't work on both ends of the replication. Express can only be a subscriber, not a publisher. You need a higher version to be the publisher.
You can however download free trial versions that do support replication if you just want to try something out.
EJB
2009-02-21 18:18:14
No, but you can get a trial of Enterprise:http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/trial-software.aspx
Brent Ozar
2009-02-25 13:23:00