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How to Make Mirrored Tables

Jim Campbell

Mirrored tables are a function of Microsoft SQL Server. SQL Server has a configuration called "replication," which copies tables from one server to another. A replicated server is used on the network to help handle client query requests and improve performance for network applications. Each time a record is inserted or edited in one database, the changes are then replicated to the second one to keep the tables mirrored. This is also beneficial in times when one database crashes. The other SQL Server can then take the requests for the clients until the database is restored.

Replicate your tables in SQL Server.

Step 1

Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Programs." Click "SQL Server" and then click "SQL Server Management Studio." This is the application that allows you to mirror tables in your database.

Step 2

Right-click "Replication" in the left side of the window pane. Select "Configure Distribution" from the list of options. This opens the replication wizard.

Step 3

Select the database that distributes the tables. This is the "main" database that contains the records and distributes copies of your tables to a secondary server. Click the "Next" button.

Step 4

Enter a directory for the snapshot file. This file takes a snapshot of database transactions for distribution. This means that when a user adds a record to a table, a snapshot occurs in the log file to send to the secondary mirrored database. Click the "Next" button.

Step 5

Review the settings at the final screen and click "Finish." The replication server sends copies of the database tables to the secondary server on your network. You can then configure software on the network to use this secondary database or simply leave the server as a backup in case the main server crashes.