Hi
I have this database replicated on two servers. I was using a replication formula so that I do not replicate documents of a particular form. For some reason, the system started deleting the document on one of the replicas! If I re-create the document and then replicate, it deletes it again, even though it creates a replica of the document on the other server.
I now removed the replication formula so that all documents replicate, but the same thing is happening, and it’s happening for that form only (as far as I know).
I tried fixup, compact, rebuilding index and updall. I even upgraded the servers from 7.0 to 7.0.2. I also deleted the replication history.
Any suggestions please?
Subject: Strange replication issue
Edward,
It wasn’t deleting, it was purging. The difference is that deleting leaves a deletion stub. It’s because of your replication formula. If it’s still doing it, then triple check that the replication formula is gone from all replica copies and then clear history, but I wager that’s all that’s happening.
regards,
raphael
Subject: RE: Strange replication issue
Thanks for your reply. I have re-checked serveral times and I cannot find any other replicas except from the two replicas I know about. Also, I re-checked both replication settings and the replication formula is gone. I also cleared the replication history again, but it’s still doing it.
It seems quite obvious that this is related to the replication formula I had previously, but the formula is not there anymore. I re-checked the rep settings against another functioning database and they are identical.
Subject: RE: Strange replication issue
Most likely, Raphael’s explanation is correct. If you are sure about the replication settings and have cleared the replication history on BOTH replicas, then it should work. Still, there could be a bug or a corruption in your database(s).
Another likely possibility is that you have a readernames field in these documents and the server cannot read the docs.
Subject: RE: Strange replication issue
Thanks for the feedback Doug.I cleared the history on both servers.
I confirmed that there are no reader fields in the documents. I have also checked the access on the views and form design but all is set as default.
I checked server document security on both servers.
Regarding the issue of ‘deleting’ vs ‘purging’, I am not sure I understand what you mean. However, I get the following deletion notification in the server console:
Starting replication with server Paisley/XXXX
Pushing xxx.nsf to Paisley/XXX xxx.nsf
Replicator deleted 1 document(s) in Paisley/XXXX xxx.nsf from xxx.nsf
Finished replication with server Paisley/XXXX
As you can see from the log, the replication is deleting the document, even though nobody has actually deleted the document. It’s crazy!
Subject: Strange replication issue (SCENARIO)
Just in case this helps, here’s the sequence of events:
I create one or more docs of a particular form on Server A
I go on Server B and trigger a replication with Server A
The docs replicate fine and normally.
I trigger replication for the 2nd time from same server (server B).
This time the documents are deleted from Server A, while they still remain on server B.
If I repeat the procedure but this time I create a document on server B instead of server A, the document is never replicated to the other server.
In other words, server A is always the one with missing documents.
N.B. I repeat, I once had a replication formula to not replicate that particular form, but now I removed it from both servers.
Subject: RE: Strange replication issue (SCENARIO)
Edward,
In the log it says “deleting” but it really means “purging”. The distinction is not being made in the log but it’s a real distinction.
I don’t know what to say, the db thinks you still have the replication formula. Maybe put it back and change it to something innocuous like SELECT Form != “Bobo” and see if that registers.
regards,
raphael
Subject: Strange replication issue
Thanks for your advises. Unfortunately it’s still not working. I’ve now put a replication formula specifying not to replicate an inexisting form, but it’s still deleting the same documents.
Subject: RE: Strange replication issue
Late reply …
I have seen this before. It is because of your replication formula. Post the formula and maybe we can help.
Here is the scenario we had – the replication formula was unique for each server.
Region X documents should only be on Region X server
(same for all regions)
When servers replicated, Region X server would not keep any documents for any other regions.
I am betting your formula says to exclude that specific form so the server thinks, “I don’t need to keep this doc”.
Right?