Database Replication and the Features of An Optimized Tool

Database replication is the process of copying data from a central database to one or several other databases. The publisher is the source database while the subscriber is the intended target database with allusers havingaccess to the same data and records.Since this is such a critical process for organizations and to ensure that data movement is optimized, only the best database replication tool should be used.

A host of functions are supported by a database replication tool. These include data security, disaster data recovery and resilience, and business continuity. However, the functions of a database replication tool are quite different from data backup even though both are often used interchangeably. In replication, the entire database is replicated and changes made periodically in the source database are continually updated in the target system whereas backup is a one-shot activity.

One major advantage of a database replication tool is facilitating business continuity. Data is replicated to multiple databases at various locations and in the case of an outage of the primary server, the secondary databases in remote locations are automatically triggered and thus workflow is not interrupted. After the problem is resolved, the primary server is updated with the data that was generated in the break period. Data replication can therefore be taken as an integral part of archiving and data retention.

There are several optimized features of a database replication tool. Some of the more critical ones are the ability to replicate continually with multiple recovery points, automated compliance-based data retention, zero data loss and synchronized data replication, and immediate failover and triggering of secondary databases during an outage.