data synchronization accross multiple servers running replication

Hello,

We have an environment with 7 servers that are running replication with one another and I'm wondering if there are any tools or experiences that any of you might have that may assist in the auditing of these servers. The data should be in synch accross the boards for all tables, but sometimes problems can arise such as replication not being set up properly, stored procedure's being out of synch, or data gliches etc.

In dealing with these issues we have an in-house written program which analises each table on each server and takes a snapshot and does column by column compare. We also have another program that will synch the data up (basically a delete/insert statement on the publisher). This process can take up to 3 weeks for our quarterly update of every table. I'm wondering if anybody has used any tools such as in SSIS or a third party tool and has done or is doing something similar to what we are doing now. If so, are there any tips you wouldn't mind sharing on how our process might be sped up?

Thanks,

Phil

In SQL Server 2005 there is a tablediff tool which you can use to compare the tables. You can also use the validation options built in replication to verify if the data are in sync.

Here are the validation options:

In transactional replication: sp_publication_validation

In merge replication: use the -validate parameter for merge agent

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Li,

Thanks for the reply. I believe we can use this. Do you know how well it does as far as speed is concerned? I think that's our main concern right now. Also, I'm reading a bit on the uitlity and I'm wondering how does it take a "snapshot" of a table on multiple servers and compare that. Also you wouldn't happen to have any syntax examples would you?

Thanks,

Phil

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Also, does anyone know if there is a way to get the utility to use windows authentication instead of coding the sa password in the utility statement?

Thanks,

Phil