How to: Work with Replication Agent Profiles (SQL Server Management Studio)
The behavior of each replication agent is controlled by a set of parameters that can be set through agent profiles. Each agent has a default profile, and some have additional predefined profiles; at a given time, only one profile is active for an agent. Specify profiles and create user-defined profiles using the Agent Profiles dialog box, which is available from the Distributor Properties - <Distributor> dialog box and Replication Monitor. This dialog box allows access to the profiles for all agents. For more information about accessing the Distributor Properties - <Distributor> dialog box, see How to: View and Modify Distributor Properties (SQL Server Management Studio). For information about starting Replication Monitor, see How to: Start Replication Monitor (Replication Monitor).
Note
Agent parameter changes take effect the next time the agent is started. If the agent runs continuously, you must stop and restart the agent.
To access the Agent Profiles dialog box from SQL Server Management Studio
- On the General page of the Distributor Properties - <Distributor> dialog box, click Profile Defaults.
To access the Agent Profiles dialog box from Replication Monitor
To open the dialog box for all agents, right-click a Publisher, and then click Agent Profiles.
To open the dialog box for a single agent:
Expand a Publisher group in the left pane of Replication Monitor, expand a Publisher, and then click a publication.
For Distribution Agent and Merge Agent profiles, right-click a subscription on the All Subscriptions tab, and then click Agent Profile. For other agents, right-click the agent on the Agents tab, and then click Agent Profile.
To specify a profile for an agent
If the Agent Profiles dialog box displays profiles for more than one agent, select an agent.
Select a profile in the Default for new column of the Agent profiles grid. By default, the profile is only applied to agents for new publications and subscriptions.
To specify that all agents of the selected type for existing publications or subscriptions should use this profile, click Change existing agents.
To view and edit the parameters associated with a profile
If the Agent Profiles dialog box displays profiles for more than one agent, select an agent.
Click the properties button (…) next to a profile.
View the parameters and values in the <ProfileName> Profile Properties dialog box.
Parameters in user-defined profiles can be edited; parameters in predefined system profiles cannot.
To view all parameters for an agent, clear the Show only parameters used in this profile check box. For information about agent parameters, see the links at the end of this topic.
Click Close.
To create a user-defined profile
If the Agent Profiles dialog box displays profiles for more than one agent, select an agent.
Click New.
In the New Agent Profile initialization dialog box, select an existing profile on which to base the new profile.
In the New Agent Profile dialog box, enter values in the Name and Description text boxes.
Modify parameters to tailor the profile. To view all parameters for an agent, clear the Show only parameters used in this profile check box. For information about agent parameters, see the links at the end of this topic.
Click OK.
To delete a user-defined profile
If the Agent Profiles dialog box displays profiles for more than one agent, select an agent.
If a profile is associated with one or more agents, change the profile for those agents:
Select a different profile in the Agent profiles grid.
Click Change existing agents.
Note
This will change the profile for all agents of the selected type for existing publications or subscriptions, not only the ones using the profile you want to delete.
Select the profile you want to delete, and then click Delete.
Click OK.