Configuring the CDC Replication Engine for Microsoft SQL Server to read transaction log backups over a network share

You can install CDC Replication on a system that is remote from the source database so that CDC Replication reads transaction log backups over a network share.

When installed remotely, CDC Replication does not have access to the online transaction logs. You must have a maintenance plan that backs up the transaction logs on a regular interval. Some additional latency can be expected because CDC Replication must wait for a transaction log backup in order to read transactions.

You must share the transaction log backup directory with Windows file sharing and ensure that the network share is accessible to the system where CDC Replication runs.

When configuring the CDC Replication instance, you must perform these tasks in the New Instance window of the configuration tool:

• Select the Archive only mode checkbox in the Instance area. CDC Replication only reads the transaction log backups (archives) in archive-only mode.
• Specify an account in the Windows Service area. This account is used to access the network share, so the account must be granted at least read access to the network share.
• On the Advanced Configuration tab, add a directory override in the Transaction Log Directory Overrides section. Map the transaction log directory on the database server to the equivalent network path. For example, map the transaction log directory C:\mssql\backups to the transaction log directory override \\hostname.example.com\backups. CDC Replication identifies the transaction log backups from Microsoft SQL Server metadata then adjusts the path to the log backup file with the path that you provide as an override.