Geodatabase replication

In simplest terms, geodatabase replication is the process of duplicating spatial data stored in a database management system (DBMS).

In ArcGIS, a method of distributing data across two or more geodatabases in order to synchronize data changes. An entire geodatabase or a subset of a geodatabase can be replicated. There are three types of geodatabase replication: two-way replication, one-way replication, and checkout/check-in replication.

Geodatabase replication is not the same as DBMS replication; it is implemented using the versioning environment created by ArcSDE technology, and does not depend on any replication capabilities of the underlying DBMS.

The reasons for geodatabase replication are manifold, and are analogous to database replication in general. These include:


 * Database performance and load balancing
 * Network load reduction
 * Systems and data security
 * Spatial data partitioning
 * Disconnected computing
 * Enterprise use of GIS data
 * Server consolidation and reorganization
 * High-availability architectures
 * Disaster recovery