Create a Pull Subscription

Article
05/24/2017

This topic describes how create a pull subscription in SQL Server 2014 by using SQL Server Management Studio, Transact-SQL, or Replication Management Objects (RMO).

Setting up a pull subscription for P2P replication is possible by script, but is not available through the wizard.

Using SQL Server Management Studio

Create a pull subscription at the Publisher or the Subscriber using the New Subscription Wizard. Follow the pages in the wizard to:

Specify the Publisher and publication.
Select where replication agents will run. For a pull subscription, select Run each agent at its Subscriber (pull subscriptions) on the Distribution Agent Location page or Merge Agent Location page, depending on the type of publication.
Specify Subscribers and subscription databases.
Specify the logins and passwords used for connections made by replication agents:
- For subscriptions to snapshot and transactional publications, specify credentials on the Distribution Agent Security page.
- For subscriptions to merge publications, specify credentials on the Merge Agent Security page.
For information about the permissions required by each agent, see Replication Agent Security Model.
Specify a synchronization schedule and when the Subscriber should be initialized.
Specify additional options for merge publications: subscription type; values for parameterized filtering; and information for synchronization through HTTPS if the publication is enabled for Web synchronization.
Specify additional options for transactional publications that allow updating subscriptions: whether Subscribers should commit changes at the Publisher immediately or write them to a queue; credentials used to connect from the Subscriber to the Publisher.
Optionally script the subscription.

To create a pull subscription from the Publisher

Connect to the Publisher in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, and then expand the server node.
Expand the Replication folder, and then expand the Local Publications folder.
Right-click the publication for which you want to create one or more subscriptions, and then click New Subscriptions.
Complete the pages in the New Subscription Wizard.

To create a pull subscription from the Subscriber

Connect to the Subscriber in SQL Server Management Studio, and then expand the server node.
Expand the Replication folder.
Right-click the Local Subscriptions folder, and then click New Subscriptions.
On the Publication page of the New Subscription Wizard, select <Find SQL Server Publisher> or <Find Oracle Publisher> from the Publisher drop-down list.
Connect to the Publisher in the Connect to Server dialog box.
Select a publication on the Publication page.
Complete the pages in the New Subscription Wizard.

Using Transact-SQL

Pull subscriptions can be created programmatically using replication stored procedures. The stored procedures used will depend on the type of publication to which the subscription belongs.

To create a pull subscription to a snapshot or transactional publication

At the Publisher, verify that the publication supports pull subscriptions by executing sp_helppublication (Transact-SQL).
- If the value of allow_pull in the result set is 1, then the publication supports pull subscriptions.
- If the value of allow_pull is 0, execute sp_changepublication (Transact-SQL), specifying allow_pull for @property and true for @value.
At the Subscriber, execute sp_addpullsubscription (Transact-SQL). Specify @publisher and @publication. For information about updating subscriptions, see Create an Updatable Subscription to a Transactional Publication.
At the Subscriber, execute sp_addpullsubscription_agent (Transact-SQL). Specify the following:
- The @publisher, @publisher_db, and @publication parameters.
- The Microsoft Windows credentials under which the Distribution Agent at the Subscriber runs for @job_login and @job_password.
  
  Note
  
  Connections made using Windows Integrated Authentication always use the Windows credentials specified by @job_login and @job_password. The Distribution Agent always makes the local connection to the Subscriber using Windows Integrated Authentication. By default, the agent will connect to the Distributor using Windows Integrated Authentication.
- (Optional) A value of 0 for @distributor_security_mode and the Microsoft SQL Server login information for @distributor_login and @distributor_password, if you need to use SQL Server Authentication when connecting to the Distributor.
- A schedule for the Distribution Agent job for this subscription. For more information, see Specify Synchronization Schedules.
At the Publisher, execute sp_addsubscription (Transact-SQL) to register the pull subscription. Specify @publication, @subscriber, and @destination_db. Specify a value of pull for @subscription_type.

To create a pull subscription to a merge publication

At the Publisher, verify that the publication supports pull subscriptions by executing sp_helpmergepublication (Transact-SQL).
- If the value of allow_pull in the result set is 1, then the publication supports pull subscriptions.
- If the value of allow_pull is 0, execute sp_changemergepublication (Transact-SQL), specifying allow_pull for @property and true for @value.
At the Subscriber, execute sp_addmergepullsubscription (Transact-SQL). Specify @publisher, @publisher_db, @publication, and the following parameters:
- @subscriber_type - specify local for a client subscription and global for a server subscription.
- @subscription_priority - Specify a priority for the subscription (0.00 to 99.99). This is only required for a server subscription.
  
  For more information, see Advanced Merge Replication Conflict Detection and Resolution.
At the Subscriber, execute sp_addmergepullsubscription_agent (Transact-SQL). Specify the following parameters:
- @publisher, @publisher_db, and @publication.
- The Windows credentials under which the Merge Agent at the Subscriber runs for @job_login and @job_password.
  
  Note
  
  Connections made using Windows Integrated Authentication always use the Windows credentials specified by @job_login and @job_password. The Merge Agent always makes the local connection to the Subscriber using Windows Integrated Authentication. By default, the agent will connect to the Distributor and Publisher using Windows Integrated Authentication.
- (Optional) A value of 0 for @distributor_security_mode and the SQL Server login information for @distributor_login and @distributor_password, if you need to use SQL Server Authentication when connecting to the Distributor.
- (Optional) A value of 0 for @publisher_security_mode and the SQL Server login information for @publisher_login and @publisher_password, if you need to use SQL Server Authentication when connecting to the Publisher.
- A schedule for the Merge Agent job for this subscription. For more information, see Create an Updatable Subscription to a Transactional Publication.
At the Publisher, execute sp_addmergesubscription (Transact-SQL). Specify @publication, @subscriber, @subscriber_db, and a value of pull for @subscription_type. This registers the pull subscription.

Examples (Transact-SQL)

The following example creates a pull subscription to a transactional publication. The first batch is executed at the Subscriber, and the second batch is executed at the Publisher. Login and password values are supplied at runtime using sqlcmd scripting variables.

-- This script uses sqlcmd scripting variables. They are in the form
-- $(MyVariable). For information about how to use scripting variables  
-- on the command line and in SQL Server Management Studio, see the 
-- "Executing Replication Scripts" section in the topic
-- "Programming Replication Using System Stored Procedures".

-- Execute this batch at the Subscriber.
DECLARE @publication AS sysname;
DECLARE @publisher AS sysname;
DECLARE @publicationDB AS sysname;
SET @publication = N'AdvWorksProductTran';
SET @publisher = $(PubServer);
SET @publicationDB = N'AdventureWorks2012';

-- At the subscription database, create a pull subscription 
-- to a transactional publication.
USE [AdventureWorks2012Replica]
EXEC sp_addpullsubscription 
  @publisher = @publisher, 
  @publication = @publication, 
  @publisher_db = @publicationDB;

-- Add an agent job to synchronize the pull subscription.
EXEC sp_addpullsubscription_agent 
  @publisher = @publisher, 
  @publisher_db = @publicationDB, 
  @publication = @publication, 
  @distributor = @publisher, 
  @job_login = $(Login), 
  @job_password = $(Password);
GO

-- This script uses sqlcmd scripting variables. They are in the form
-- $(MyVariable). For information about how to use scripting variables  
-- on the command line and in SQL Server Management Studio, see the 
-- "Executing Replication Scripts" section in the topic
-- "Programming Replication Using System Stored Procedures".

-- Execute this batch at the Publisher.
DECLARE @publication AS sysname;
DECLARE @subscriber AS sysname;
DECLARE @subscriptionDB AS sysname;
SET @publication = N'AdvWorksProductTran';
SET @subscriber = $(SubServer);
SET @subscriptionDB = N'AdventureWorks2012Replica';

-- At the Publisher, register the subscription, using the defaults.
EXEC sp_addsubscription 
  @publication = @publication, 
  @subscriber = @subscriber, 
  @destination_db = @subscriptionDB, 
  @subscription_type = N'pull',
  @status = N'subscribed';
GO

The following example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication. The first batch is executed at the Subscriber, and the second batch is executed at the Publisher. Login and password values are supplied at runtime using sqlcmd scripting variables.


-- This script uses sqlcmd scripting variables. They are in the form
-- $(MyVariable). For information about how to use scripting variables  
-- on the command line and in SQL Server Management Studio, see the 
-- "Executing Replication Scripts" section in the topic
-- "Programming Replication Using System Stored Procedures".

-- Execute this batch at the Subscriber.
DECLARE @publication AS sysname;
DECLARE @publisher AS sysname;
DECLARE @publicationDB AS sysname;
DECLARE @hostname AS sysname;
SET @publication = N'AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge';
SET @publisher = $(PubServer);
SET @publicationDB = N'AdventureWorks2012';
SET @hostname = N'adventure-works\david8';

-- At the subscription database, create a pull subscription 
-- to a merge publication.
USE [AdventureWorks2012Replica]
EXEC sp_addmergepullsubscription 
  @publisher = @publisher, 
  @publication = @publication, 
  @publisher_db = @publicationDB;

-- Add an agent job to synchronize the pull subscription. 
EXEC sp_addmergepullsubscription_agent 
  @publisher = @publisher, 
  @publisher_db = @publicationDB, 
  @publication = @publication, 
  @distributor = @publisher, 
  @job_login = $(Login), 
  @job_password = $(Password),
  @hostname = @hostname;
GO

-- Execute this batch at the Publisher.
DECLARE @myMergePub  AS sysname;
DECLARE @mySub       AS sysname;
DECLARE @mySubDB     AS sysname;

SET @myMergePub = N'AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge';
SET @mySub = N'MYSUBSERVER';
SET @mySubDB = N'AdventureWorks2012Replica';

-- At the Publisher, register the subscription, using the defaults.
USE [AdventureWorks2012]
EXEC sp_addmergesubscription @publication = @myMergePub, 
@subscriber = @mySub, @subscriber_db = @mySubDB, 
@subscription_type = N'pull';
GO

Using Replication Management Objects (RMO)

The RMO classes used to create a pull subscription depend on the type of publication to which the subscription belongs.

To create a pull subscription to a snapshot or transactional publication

Create connections to both the Subscriber and Publisher by using the ServerConnection Class.
Create an instance of the TransPublication class by using the Publisher connection from step 1. Specify Name, DatabaseName and ConnectionContext.
Call the LoadProperties method. If this method returns false, either the properties specified in step 2 are incorrect or the publication does not exist on the server.
Perform a bitwise logical AND (& in Visual C# and And in Visual Basic) between the Attributes property and AllowPull. If the result is None, set Attributes to the result of a bitwise logical OR (| in Visual C# and Or in Visual Basic) between Attributes and AllowPull. Then, call CommitPropertyChanges to enable pull subscriptions.
If the subscription database does not exist, create it by using the Database class. For more information, see Creating, Altering, and Removing Databases.
Create an instance of the TransPullSubscription class.
Set the following subscription properties:
- The ServerConnection to the Subscriber created in step 1 for ConnectionContext.
- Name of the subscription database for DatabaseName.
- Name of the Publisher for PublisherName.
- Name of the publication database for PublicationDBName.
- Name of the publication for PublicationName.
- The Login and Password or SecurePassword* fields of SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity to provide the credentials for the Microsoft Windows account under which the Distribution Agent runs at the Subscriber. This account is used to make local connections to the Subscriber and to make remote connections using Windows Authentication.
  
  Note
  
  Setting SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity is not required when the subscription is created by a member of the sysadmin fixed server role, however it is recommended. In this case, the agent will impersonate the SQL Server Agent account. For more information, see Replication Agent Security Model.
- (Optional) A value of true for CreateSyncAgentByDefault to create an agent job that is used to synchronize the subscription. If you specify false (the default), the subscription can only be synchronized programmatically and you must specify additional properties of TransSynchronizationAgent when you access this object from the SynchronizationAgent property. For more information, see Synchronize a Pull Subscription.
  
  Note
  
  SQL Server Agent is not available in every edition of MicrosoftSQL Server. For a list of features that are supported by the editions of SQL Server, see Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2014. When you specify a value of true for Express Subscribers, the agent job is not created. However, important subscription-related metadata is stored at the Subscriber.
- (Optional) Set the SqlStandardLogin and SqlStandardPassword or SecureSqlStandardPassword fields of DistributorSecurity when using SQL Server Authentication to connect to the Distributor.
Call the Create method.
Using the instance of the TransPublication class from step 2, call the MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown method to register the pull subscription with the Publisher. If this registration already exists, an exception occurs.

To create a pull subscription to a merge publication

Create connections to both the Subscriber and Publisher by using the ServerConnection class.
Create an instance of the MergePublication class by using the Publisher connection from step 1. Specify Name, DatabaseName, and ConnectionContext.
Call the LoadProperties method. If this method returns false, either the properties specified in step 2 are incorrect or the publication does not exist on the server.
Perform a bitwise logical AND (& in Visual C# and And in Visual Basic) between the Attributes property and AllowPull. If the result is None, set Attributes to the result of a bitwise logical OR (| in Visual C# and Or in Visual Basic) between Attributes and AllowPull. Then, call CommitPropertyChanges to enable pull subscriptions.
If the subscription database does not exist, create it by using the Database class. For more information, see Creating, Altering, and Removing Databases.
Create an instance of the MergePullSubscription class.
Set the following subscription properties:
- The ServerConnection to the Subscriber created in step 1 for ConnectionContext.
- Name of the subscription database for DatabaseName.
- Name of the Publisher for PublisherName.
- Name of the publication database for PublicationDBName.
- Name of the publication for PublicationName.
- The Login and Password or SecurePassword* fields of SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity to provide the credentials for the Microsoft Windows account under which the Merge Agent runs at the Subscriber. This account is used to make local connections to the Subscriber and to make remote connections using Windows Authentication.
  
  Note
  
  Setting SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity is not required when the subscription is created by a member of the sysadmin fixed server role, however it is recommended. In this case, the agent will impersonate the SQL Server Agent account. For more information, see Replication Agent Security Model.
- (Optional) A value of true for CreateSyncAgentByDefault to create an agent job that is used to synchronize the subscription. If you specify false (the default), the subscription can only be synchronized programmatically and you must specify additional properties of MergeSynchronizationAgent when you access this object from the SynchronizationAgent property. For more information, see Synchronize a Pull Subscription.
- (Optional) Set the SqlStandardLogin and SqlStandardPassword or SecureSqlStandardPassword fields of DistributorSecurity when using SQL Server Authentication to connect to the Distributor.
- (Optional) Set the SqlStandardLogin and SqlStandardPassword or SecureSqlStandardPassword fields of PublisherSecurity when using SQL Server Authentication to connect to the Publisher.
Call the Create method.
Using the instance of the MergePublication class from step 2, call the MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown method to register the pull subscription with the Publisher. If this registration already exists, an exception occurs.

Example (RMO)

This example creates a pull subscription to a transactional publication. The Microsoft Windows account credentials used to create the Distribution Agent job are passed at runtime.

// Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
string publicationName = "AdvWorksProductTran";
string publisherName = publisherInstance;
string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2012Replica";
string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2012";

//Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

// Create the objects that we need.
TransPublication publication;
TransPullSubscription subscription;

try
{
    // Connect to the Publisher and Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect();
    publisherConn.Connect();

    // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    // it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = new TransPublication();
    publication.Name = publicationName;
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

    if (publication.IsExistingObject)
    {
        if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
        {
            publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
        }

        // Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = new TransPullSubscription();
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;

        // Specify the Windows login credentials for the Distribution Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin;
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword;

        // Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = true;

        // By default, subscriptions to transactional publications are synchronized 
        // continuously, but in this case we only want to synchronize on demand.
        subscription.AgentSchedule.FrequencyType = ScheduleFrequencyType.OnDemand;

        // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create();

        Boolean registered = false;

        // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        foreach (TransSubscription existing
            in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
        {
            if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName)
            {
                registered = true;
            }
        }
        if (!registered)
        {
            // Register the subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                TransSubscriberType.ReadOnly);
        }
    }
    else
    {
        // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
            "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
            publicationName, publisherName));
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
}
finally
{
    subscriberConn.Disconnect();
    publisherConn.Disconnect();
}

' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksProductTran"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As TransPublication
Dim subscription As TransPullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Publisher and Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()
    publisherConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = New TransPublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.IsExistingObject Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New TransPullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName
        subscription.Description = "Pull subscription to " + publicationDbName _
        + " on " + subscriberName + "."

        ' Specify the Windows login credentials for the Distribution Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword

        ' Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = True

        ' By default, subscriptions to transactional publications are synchronized 
        ' continuously, but in this case we only want to synchronize on demand.
        subscription.AgentSchedule.FrequencyType = ScheduleFrequencyType.OnDemand

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As TransSubscription In publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName And _
                existing.SubscriptionDBName = subscriptionDbName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next existing
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             TransSubscriberType.ReadOnly)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

This example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication. The Windows account credentials used to create the Merge Agent job are passed at runtime.

// Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
string publicationName = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge";
string publisherName = publisherInstance;
string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2012Replica";
string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2012";
string hostname = @"adventure-works\garrett1";

//Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

// Create the objects that we need.
MergePublication publication;
MergePullSubscription subscription;

try
{
    // Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect();

    // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    // it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = new MergePublication();
    publication.Name = publicationName;
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

    if (publication.LoadProperties())
    {
        if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
        {
            publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
        }

        // Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = new MergePullSubscription();
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;
        subscription.HostName = hostname;

        // Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin;
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword;

        // Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = true;

        // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create();

        Boolean registered = false;

        // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        foreach (MergeSubscription existing
            in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
        {
            if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName
                && existing.SubscriptionType == SubscriptionOption.Pull)
            {
                registered = true;
            }
        }
        if (!registered)
        {
            // Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0);
        }
    }
    else
    {
        // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
            "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
            publicationName, publisherName));
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
}
finally
{
    subscriberConn.Disconnect();
    publisherConn.Disconnect();
}

' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012"
Dim hostname As String = "adventure-works\garrett1"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As MergePublication
Dim subscription As MergePullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = New MergePublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.LoadProperties() Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New MergePullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName
        subscription.HostName = hostname

        ' Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword

        ' Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = True

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As MergeSubscription In _
        publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

This example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication without creating an associated agent job and subscription metadata in MSsubscription_properties. The Windows account credentials used to create the Merge Agent job are passed at runtime.

// Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
string publicationName = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge";
string publisherName = publisherInstance;
string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2012Replica";
string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2012";

//Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

// Create the objects that we need.
MergePublication publication;
MergePullSubscription subscription;

try
{
    // Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect();

    // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    // it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = new MergePublication();
    publication.Name = publicationName;
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

    if (publication.LoadProperties())
    {
        if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
        {
            publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
        }

        // Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = new MergePullSubscription();
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;

        // Specify that an agent job not be created for this subscription. The
        // subscription can only be synchronized by running the Merge Agent directly.
        // Subscripition metadata stored in MSsubscription_properties will not
        // be available and must be specified at run time.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = false;

        // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create();

        Boolean registered = false;

        // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        foreach (MergeSubscription existing
            in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
        {
            if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName
                && existing.SubscriptionType == SubscriptionOption.Pull)
            {
                registered = true;
            }
        }
        if (!registered)
        {
            // Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0);
        }
    }
    else
    {
        // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
            "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
            publicationName, publisherName));
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
}
finally
{
    subscriberConn.Disconnect();
    publisherConn.Disconnect();
}

' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As MergePublication
Dim subscription As MergePullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = New MergePublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.LoadProperties() Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New MergePullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName

        ' Specify that an agent job not be created for this subscription. The
        ' subscription can only be synchronized by running the Merge Agent directly.
        ' Subscripition metadata stored in MSsubscription_properties will not
        ' be available and must be specified at run time.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = False

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As MergeSubscription In _
        publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
     "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

This example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication that can be synchronized over the Internet using Web synchronization. The Windows account credentials used to create the Merge Agent job are passed at runtime. For more information, see Configure Web Synchronization.

// Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
string publicationName = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge";
string publisherName = publisherInstance;
string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2012Replica";
string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2012";
string hostname = @"adventure-works\garrett1";
string webSyncUrl = "https://" + publisherInstance + "/WebSync/replisapi.dll";

//Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

// Create the objects that we need.
MergePublication publication;
MergePullSubscription subscription;

try
{
    // Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect();

    // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    // it supports pull subscriptions and Web synchronization.
    publication = new MergePublication();
    publication.Name = publicationName;
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

    if (publication.LoadProperties())
    {
        if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
        {
            publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
        }
        if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization) == 0)
        {
            publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization;
        }

        // Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = new MergePullSubscription();
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;
        subscription.HostName = hostname;

        // Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin;
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword;

        // Enable Web synchronization.
        subscription.UseWebSynchronization = true;
        subscription.InternetUrl = webSyncUrl;

        // Specify the same Windows credentials to use when connecting to the
        // Web server using HTTPS Basic Authentication.
        subscription.InternetSecurityMode = AuthenticationMethod.BasicAuthentication;
        subscription.InternetLogin = winLogin;
        subscription.InternetPassword = winPassword;

        // Ensure that we create a job for this subscription.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = true;

        // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create();

        Boolean registered = false;

        // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        foreach (MergeSubscription existing
            in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
        {
            if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName
                && existing.SubscriptionType == SubscriptionOption.Pull)
            {
                registered = true;
            }
        }
        if (!registered)
        {
            // Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0);
        }
    }
    else
    {
        // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
            "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
            publicationName, publisherName));
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
}
finally
{
    subscriberConn.Disconnect();
    publisherConn.Disconnect();
}

' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2012"
Dim hostname As String = "adventure-works\garrett1"
Dim webSyncUrl As String = "https://" + publisherInstance + "/WebSync/replisapi.dll"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As MergePublication
Dim subscription As MergePullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions and Web synchronization.
    publication = New MergePublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.LoadProperties() Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New MergePullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName
        subscription.HostName = hostname
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = True

        ' Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword

        ' Enable Web synchronization.
        subscription.UseWebSynchronization = True
        subscription.InternetUrl = webSyncUrl

        ' Specify the same Windows credentials to use when connecting to the
        ' Web server using HTTPS Basic Authentication.
        subscription.InternetSecurityMode = AuthenticationMethod.BasicAuthentication
        subscription.InternetLogin = winLogin
        subscription.InternetPassword = winPassword

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As MergeSubscription In _
        publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
     "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

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Create a Pull Subscription

Using SQL Server Management Studio

To create a pull subscription from the Publisher

To create a pull subscription from the Subscriber

Using Transact-SQL

To create a pull subscription to a snapshot or transactional publication

To create a pull subscription to a merge publication

Examples (Transact-SQL)

Using Replication Management Objects (RMO)

To create a pull subscription to a snapshot or transactional publication

To create a pull subscription to a merge publication

Example (RMO)

See Also

Additional resources