sp_addsubscription (Transact-SQL)
Adds a subscription to a publication and sets the Subscriber status. This stored procedure is executed at the Publisher on the publication database.
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Syntax
sp_addsubscription [ @publication = ] 'publication'
[ , [ @article = ] 'article']
[ , [ @subscriber = ] 'subscriber' ]
[ , [ @destination_db = ] 'destination_db' ]
[ , [ @sync_type = ] 'sync_type' ]
[ , [ @status = ] 'status'
[ , [ @subscription_type = ] 'subscription_type' ]
[ , [ @update_mode = ] 'update_mode' ]
[ , [ @loopback_detection = ] 'loopback_detection' ]
[ , [ @frequency_type = ] frequency_type ]
[ , [ @frequency_interval = ] frequency_interval ]
[ , [ @frequency_relative_interval = ] frequency_relative_interval ]
[ , [ @frequency_recurrence_factor = ] frequency_recurrence_factor ]
[ , [ @frequency_subday = ] frequency_subday ]
[ , [ @frequency_subday_interval = ] frequency_subday_interval ]
[ , [ @active_start_time_of_day = ] active_start_time_of_day ]
[ , [ @active_end_time_of_day = ] active_end_time_of_day ]
[ , [ @active_start_date = ] active_start_date ]
[ , [ @active_end_date = ] active_end_date ]
[ , [ @optional_command_line = ] 'optional_command_line' ]
[ , [ @reserved = ] 'reserved' ]
[ , [ @enabled_for_syncmgr= ] 'enabled_for_syncmgr' ]
[ , [ @offloadagent= ] remote_agent_activation]
[ , [ @offloadserver= ] 'remote_agent_server_name' ]
[ , [ @dts_package_name= ] 'dts_package_name' ]
[ , [ @dts_package_password= ] 'dts_package_password' ]
[ , [ @dts_package_location= ] 'dts_package_location' ]
[ , [ @distribution_job_name= ] 'distribution_job_name' ]
[ , [ @publisher = ] 'publisher' ]
[ , [ @backupdevicetype = ] 'backupdevicetype' ]
[ , [ @backupdevicename = ] 'backupdevicename' ]
[ , [ @mediapassword = ] 'mediapassword' ]
[ , [ @password = ] 'password' ]
[ , [ @fileidhint = ] fileidhint ]
[ , [ @unload = ] unload ]
[ , [ @subscriptionlsn = ] subscriptionlsn ]
[ , [ @subscriptionstreams= ] subscriptionstreams ]
[ , [ @subscriber_type= ] subscriber_type ]
Arguments
[ @publication=\] 'publication'
Is the name of the publication. publication is sysname, with no default.[ @article=\] 'article'
Is the article to which the publication is subscribed. article is sysname, with a default of all. If all, a subscription is added to all articles in that publication. Only values of all or NULL are supported for Oracle Publishers.[ @subscriber=\] 'subscriber'
Is the name of the Subscriber. subscriber is sysname, with a default of NULL.[ @destination\_db=\] 'destination_db'
Is the name of the destination database in which to place replicated data. destination_db is sysname, with a default of NULL. When NULL, destination_db is set to the name of the publication database. For Oracle Publishers, destination_db must be specified. For a non-SQL Server Subscriber, specify a value of (default destination) for destination_db.[ @sync\_type=\] 'sync_type'
Is the subscription synchronization type. sync_type is nvarchar(255), and can be one of the following values:Value
Description
none
Subscriber already has the schema and initial data for published tables.
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Note
This option has been deprecated. Use replication support only instead.automatic (default)
Schema and initial data for published tables are transferred to the Subscriber first.
replication support only
Provides automatic generation at the Subscriber of article custom stored procedures and triggers that support updating subscriptions, if appropriate. Assumes that the Subscriber already has the schema and initial data for published tables. When configuring a peer-to-peer transactional replication topology, ensure that the data at all nodes in the topology is identical. For more information, see How to: Configure Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication (Replication Transact-SQL Programming).
Not supported for subscriptions to non-SQL Server publications.
initialize with backup
Schema and initial data for published tables are obtained from a backup of the publication database. Assumes that the Subscriber has access to a backup of the publication database. The location of the backup and media type for the backup are specified by backupdevicename and backupdevicetype. When using this option, a peer-to-peer transactional replication topology need not be quiesced during configuration.
Not supported for subscriptions to non-SQL Server publications.
initialize from lsn
Used when you are adding a node to a peer-to-peer transactional replication topology. Used with @subscriptionlsn to make sure that all relevant transactions are replicated to the new node. Assumes that the Subscriber already has the schema and initial data for published tables. For more information, see How to: Configure Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication (Replication Transact-SQL Programming).
Note
System tables and data are always transferred.
[ @status=\] 'status'
Is the subscription status. status is sysname, with a default value of NULL. When this parameter is not explicitly set, replication automatically sets it to one of these values.Value
Description
active
Subscription is initialized and ready to accept changes. This option is set when the value of sync_type is none, initialize with backup, or replication support only.
subscribed
Subscription needs to be initialized. This option is set when the value of sync_type is automatic.
[ @subscription\_type=\] 'subscription_type'
Is the type of subscription. subscription_type is nvarchar(4), with a default of push. Can be push or pull. The Distribution Agents of push subscriptions reside at the Distributor, and the Distribution Agents of pull subscriptions reside at the Subscriber. subscription_type can be pull to create a named pull subscription that is known to the Publisher. For more information, see Subscribing to Publications.Note
Anonymous subscriptions do not need to use this stored procedure.
[ @update\_mode=\] 'update_mode'
Is the type of update.update_mode is nvarchar(30), and can be one of these values.Value
Description
read only (default)
The subscription is read-only. The changes at the Subscriber are not sent to the Publisher.
sync tran
Enables support for immediate updating subscriptions. Not supported for Oracle Publishers.
queued tran
Enables the subscription for queued updating. Data modifications can be made at the Subscriber, stored in a queue, and then propagated to the Publisher. Not supported for Oracle Publishers.
failover
Enables the subscription for immediate updating with queued updating as a failover. Data modifications can be made at the Subscriber and propagated to the Publisher immediately. If the Publisher and Subscriber are not connected, the updating mode can be changed so that data modifications made at the Subscriber are stored in a queue until the Subscriber and Publisher are reconnected. Not supported for Oracle Publishers.
queued failover
Enables the subscription as a queued updating subscription with the ability to change to immediate updating mode. Data modifications can be made at the Subscriber and stored in a queue until a connection is established between the Subscriber and Publisher. When a continuous connection is established the updating mode can be changed to immediate updating. Not supported for Oracle Publishers.
Note that the values synctran and queued tran are not allowed if the publication being subscribed to allows DTS.
[ @loopback\_detection=\] 'loopback_detection'
Specifies if the Distribution Agent sends transactions that originated at the Subscriber back to the Subscriber. loopback_detection is nvarchar(5), and can be one of these values.Value
Description
true
Distribution Agent does not send transactions originated at the Subscriber back to the Subscriber. Used with bidirectional transactional replication. For more information, see Bidirectional Transactional Replication.
false
Distribution Agent sends transactions that originated at the Subscriber back to the Subscriber.
NULL (default)
Automatically set to true for a SQL Server Subscriber and false for a non-SQL Server Subscriber.
[ @frequency\_type=\] frequency_type
Is the frequency with which to schedule the distribution task. frequency_type is int, and can be one of these values.Value
Description
1
One time
2
On demand
4
Daily
8
Weekly
16
Monthly
32
Monthly relative
64 (default)
Autostart
128
Recurring
[ @frequency\_interval=\] frequency_interval
Is the value to apply to the frequency set by frequency_type. frequency_interval is int, with a default of NULL.[ @frequency\_relative\_interval=\] frequency_relative_interval
Is the date of the Distribution Agent. This parameter is used when frequency_type is set to 32 (monthly relative). frequency_relative_interval is int, and can be one of these values.Value
Description
1
First
2
Second
4
Third
8
Fourth
16
Last
NULL (default)
[ @frequency\_recurrence\_factor=\] frequency_recurrence_factor
Is the recurrence factor used by frequency_type. frequency_recurrence_factor is int, with a default of NULL.[ @frequency\_subday=\] frequency_subday
Is how often, in minutes, to reschedule during the defined period. frequency_subday is int, and can be one of these values.Value
Description
1
Once
2
Second
4
Minute
8
Hour
NULL
[ @frequency\_subday\_interval=\] frequency_subday_interval
Is the interval for frequency_subday. frequency_subday_interval is int, with a default of NULL.[ @active\_start\_time\_of\_day=\] active_start_time_of_day
Is the time of day when the Distribution Agent is first scheduled, formatted as HHMMSS. active_start_time_of_day is int, with a default of NULL.[ @active\_end\_time\_of\_day=\] active_end_time_of_day
Is the time of day when the Distribution Agent stops being scheduled, formatted as HHMMSS. active_end_time_of_day is int, with a default of NULL.[ @active\_start\_date=\] active_start_date
Is the date when the Distribution Agent is first scheduled, formatted as YYYYMMDD. active_start_date is int, with a default of NULL.[ @active\_end\_date=\] active_end_date
Is the date when the Distribution Agent stops being scheduled, formatted as YYYYMMDD. active_end_date is int, with a default of NULL.[ @optional\_command\_line=\] 'optional_command_line'
Is the optional command prompt to execute. optional_command_line is nvarchar(4000), with a default of NULL.[ @reserved=\] 'reserved'
Identified for informational purposes only. Not supported. Future compatibility is not guaranteed.[ @enabled\_for\_syncmgr=\] 'enabled_for_syncmgr'
Is whether the subscription can be synchronized through Microsoft Windows Synchronization Manager. enabled_for_syncmgr is nvarchar(5), with a default of FALSE. If false, the subscription is not registered with Windows Synchronization Manager. If true, the subscription is registered with Windows Synchronization Manager and can be synchronized without starting SQL Server Management Studio. Not supported for Oracle Publishers.[ @offloadagent= ] 'remote_agent_activation'
Specifies that the agent can be activated remotely. remote_agent_activation is bit with a default of 0.Note
This parameter has been deprecated and is only maintained for backward compatibility of scripts.
[ @offloadserver= ] 'remote_agent_server_name'
Specifies the network name of server to be used for remote activation. remote_agent_server_nameis sysname, with a default of NULL.[ @dts\_package\_name= ] 'dts_package_name'
Specifies the name of the Data Transformation Services (DTS) package. dts_package_name is a sysname with a default of NULL. For example, to specify a package of DTSPub_Package, the parameter would be @dts\_package\_name = N'DTSPub_Package'. This parameter is available for push subscriptions. To add DTS package information to a pull subscription, use sp_addpullsubscription_agent.[ @dts\_package\_password= ] 'dts_package_password'
Specifies the password on the package, if there is one. dts_package_password is sysname with a default of NULL.Note
You must specify a password if dts_package_name is specified.
[ @dts\_package\_location= ] 'dts_package_location'
Specifies the package location. dts_package_location is a nvarchar(12), with a default of DISTRIBUTOR. The location of the package can be distributor or subscriber.[ @distribution\_job\_name= ] 'distribution_job_name'
Identified for informational purposes only. Not supported. Future compatibility is not guaranteed.[ @publisher= ] 'publisher'
Specifies a non-Microsoft SQL Server Publisher. publisher is sysname, with a default of NULL.Note
publisher should not be specified for a SQL Server Publisher.
[ @backupdevicetype= ] 'backupdevicetype'
Specifies the type of backup device used when initializing a Subscriber from a backup. backupdevicetype is nvarchar(20), and can be one of these values:Value
Description
logical (default)
The backup device is a logical device.
disk
The backup device is disk drive.
tape
The backup device is a tape drive
backupdevicetype is only used when sync_methodis set to initialize_with_backup.
[ @backupdevicename= ] 'backupdevicename'
Specifies the name of the device used when initializing a Subscriber from a backup. backupdevicename is nvarchar(1000), with a default of NULL.[ @mediapassword= ] 'mediapassword'
Specifies a password for the media set if a password was set when the media was formatted. mediapassword is sysname, with a default value of NULL.Note
This feature will be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server. Avoid using this feature in new development work, and plan to modify applications that currently use this feature.
[ @password= ] 'password'
Specifies a password for the backup if a password was set when the backup was created. passwordis sysname, with a default value of NULL.[ @fileidhint= ] fileidhint
Identifies an ordinal value of the backup set to be restored. fileidhint is int, with a default value of NULL.[ @unload= ] unload
Specifies if a tape backup device should be unloaded after the initialization from back is complete. unload is bit, with a default value of 1. 1 specifies that the tape should be unloaded. unload is only used when backupdevicetype is tape.[ @subscriptionlsn= ] subscriptionlsn
Specifies the log sequence number (LSN) at which a subscription should start delivering changes to a node in a peer-to-peer transactional replication topology. Used with a @sync\_type value of initialize from lsn to make sure that all relevant transactions are replicated to a new node. For more information, see How to: Configure Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication (Replication Transact-SQL Programming).[ @subscriptionstreams= ] subscriptionstreams
Is the number of connections allowed per Distribution Agent to apply batches of changes in parallel to a Subscriber, while maintaining many of the transactional characteristics present when using a single thread. subscriptionstreams is tinyint, with a default value of NULL. A range of values from 1 to 64 is supported. This parameter is not supported for non-SQL Server Subscribers, Oracle Publishers or peer-to-peer subscriptions.[ @subscriber\_type=\] subscriber_type
Is the type of Subscriber. subscriber_type is tinyint, and can be one of these values.Value
Description
0 (default)
SQL Server Subscriber
1
ODBC data source server
2
Microsoft Jet database
3
OLE DB provider
Return Code Values
0 (success) or 1 (failure)
Remarks
sp_addsubscription is used in snapshot replication and transactional replication.
When sp_addsubscription is executed by a member of the sysadmin fixed server role to create a push subscription, the Distribution Agent job is implicitly created and runs under the SQL Server Agent service account. We recommend that you execute sp_addpushsubscription_agent and specify the credentials of a different, agent-specific Windows account for @job\_login and @job\_password. For more information, see Replication Agent Security Model.
sp_addsubscription prevents ODBC and OLE DB Subscribers access to publications that:
Were created with the native sync_method in the call to sp_addpublication.
Contain articles that were added to the publication with the sp_addarticle stored procedure that had a pre_creation_cmd parameter value of 3 (truncate).
Attempt to set update_mode to sync tran.
Have an article configured to use parameterized statements.
In addition, if a publication has the allow_queued_tran option set to true (which enables queuing of changes at the Subscriber until they can be applied at the Publisher), the timestamp column in an article is scripted out as timestamp, and changes on that column are sent to the Subscriber. The Subscriber generates and updates the timestamp column value. For an ODBC or OLE DB Subscriber, sp_addsubscription fails if an attempt is made to subscribe to a publication that has allow_queued_tran set to true and articles with timestamp columns in it.
If a subscription does not use a DTS package, it cannot subscribe to a publication that is set to allow_transformable_subscriptions. If the table from the publication needs to be replicated to both a DTS subscription and non-DTS subscription, two separate publications have to be created: one for each type of subscription.
Example
-- 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".
DECLARE @publication AS sysname;
DECLARE @subscriber AS sysname;
DECLARE @subscriptionDB AS sysname;
SET @publication = N'AdvWorksProductTran';
SET @subscriber = $(SubServer);
SET @subscriptionDB = N'AdventureWorksReplica';
--Add a push subscription to a transactional publication.
USE [AdventureWorks]
EXEC sp_addsubscription
@publication = @publication,
@subscriber = @subscriber,
@destination_db = @subscriptionDB,
@subscription_type = N'push';
--Add an agent job to synchronize the push subscription.
EXEC sp_addpushsubscription_agent
@publication = @publication,
@subscriber = @subscriber,
@subscriber_db = @subscriptionDB,
@job_login = $(Login),
@job_password = $(Password);
GO
Permissions
Only members of the sysadmin fixed server role or db_owner fixed database role can execute sp_addsubscription. For pull subscriptions, users with logins in the publication access list can execute sp_addsubscription.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Create a Subscription for a Non-SQL Server Subscriber (Replication Transact-SQL Programming)