Monitoring Replication Agents
Microsoft SQL Server Replication Monitor provides a systemic view of replication activity, but also makes it straightforward to find information on a specific agent. The following list includes each agent, the tabs in the Replication Monitor on which it can be found, and a link to a topic that explains how to access these tabs:
The following agents are associated with publications in Replication Monitor:
Snapshot Agent
Log Reader Agent
Queue Reader Agent
Access information and tasks associated with these agents through the following tabs: Agents (available for each Publisher and publication) and Warnings (available for each publication). For more information, see How to: View Information and Perform Tasks for the Agents Associated With a Publication (Replication Monitor).
The following agents are associated with subscriptions in Replication Monitor:
Distribution Agent
Merge Agent
Access information and tasks associated with these agents through the following tabs: Subscription Watch List (available for each Publisher) or the All Subscriptions tab (available for each publication). For more information, see How to: View Information and Perform Tasks for the Agents Associated With a Subscription (Replication Monitor).
SQL Server Management Studio also provides basic monitoring of replication agents. For more information, see How to: Monitor Replication Agents from Management Studio (SQL Server Management Studio).