Implementing MSSQL Replication Using SQL Server's Built-In Replication Capabilities
SQL Server supports three main types of MSSQL replication: snapshot replication, transactional replication, and merge replication, in addition to SQL Server change data capture and change tracking. Snapshot replication, the most resource-intensive type of SQL Server replication, copies an entire dataset and is mostly used for setting up other types of replication. Merge replication, a bidirectional form of SQL database replication, is generally used to keep data consistent on systems that cannot be continuously connected.
Transactional replication, the most common form of MSSQL replication, is typically used to duplicate and move data from one server to another server(s) in near real time. With transactional SQL Server data replication, you can select the individual tables you want to replicate, filter data by row and/or by column, and capture and move data changes using an independent distribution server.