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shivkumarm's avatar
shivkumarm
Copper Contributor
Jan 19, 2024

Number of Distributors in a Cluster

Hello,

I have an SQL Server Enterprise Cluster setup on EC2 (Always On).

There is already one Distributor created by another team to setup transactional replication.

Our team needs its own Distributor.

Is it possible to add multiple Distributors to the same cluster?
If yes then how, unfortunately I was not able to do so and see the option in the Studio.

It will be great if someone can provide more details and guide me.


4 Replies

  • BabatundeDallas's avatar
    BabatundeDallas
    Brass Contributor
    Jan 19, 2024

    shivkumarm It is not possible to have multiple Distributors in the same cluster. A Distributor is a server that distributes data from one server to another. It is used in transactional replication to distribute transactions from the Publisher to the Subscribers.

     

    However, you can create a new Distributor on a different server and configure it to work with your existing replication topology.

     

    Let me know if this works for you. @ me in replies, or I'll lose your thread!!!  
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    Best Regards,
    Dallas.
    • shivkumarm's avatar
      shivkumarm
      Copper Contributor
      Jan 19, 2024

      BabatundeDallas 

       

      However, you can create a new Distributor on a different server and configure it to work with your existing replication topology.

       

      Apologies, I think I didn't understood the above statement correctly.

       

       

      The existing is a 3 node cluster, where one distributor createde. Are you suggesting to add one more server/node l, make it 4 node and then add or something else.

       

       

       

      • BabatundeDallas's avatar
        BabatundeDallas
        Brass Contributor
        Jan 19, 2024

        shivkumarm yes, I suggest setting up a new Distributor on a separate server, not by adding a new node to the existing cluster.

        You can add one more server to where you want to set up the new Distributor.

         

        - Install SQL Server on the chosen server if it's not already installed.
- During the SQL Server installation on the new server, choose the option to configure it as a Distributor. This will create the necessary distribution database.
- Link to the existing Topology; when configuring the new Distributor, you will be prompted to specify the Publisher. Provide the details of your existing cluster (Publisher) and configure the new Distributor to work with it.
- Once the new Distributor is set up, update your existing replication topology to include this new Distributor.

         

        You can also read more about this on Microsoft Learn
        https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/availability-groups/windows/configure-distributed-availability-groups?view=sql-server-ver16&tabs=automatic

         

        If my answers help arrive at a solution? Give it a kudos by clicking the Thumbs Up!
         
        Best Regards,
        Dallas.

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