How to: Create a Pull Subscription (RMO Programming)

Pull subscriptions can be created programmatically by using Replication Management Objects (RMO). The RMO classes used to create a pull subscription depend on the type of publication to which the subscription belongs.

To create a pull subscription to a snapshot or transactional publication

  1. Create connections to both the Subscriber and Publisher by using the ServerConnection Class.

  2. Create an instance of the TransPublication class by using the Publisher connection from step 1. Specify Name, DatabaseName and ConnectionContext.

  3. Call the LoadProperties method. If this method returns false, either the properties specified in step 2 are incorrect or the publication does not exist on the server.

  4. Perform a bitwise logical AND (& in Visual C# and And in Visual Basic) between the Attributes property and AllowPull. If the result is None, set Attributes to the result of a bitwise logical OR (| in Visual C# and Or in Visual Basic) between Attributes and AllowPull. Then, call CommitPropertyChanges to enable pull subscriptions.

  5. If the subscription database does not exist, create it by using the Database class. For more information, see Creating, Altering, and Removing Databases.

  6. Create an instance of the TransPullSubscription class.

  7. Set the following subscription properties:

  8. Call the Create method.

  9. Using the instance of the TransPublication class from step 2, call the MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown method to register the pull subscription with the Publisher. If this registration already exists, an exception occurs.

To create a pull subscription to a merge publication

  1. Create connections to both the Subscriber and Publisher by using the ServerConnection class.

  2. Create an instance of the MergePublication class by using the Publisher connection from step 1. Specify Name, DatabaseName, and ConnectionContext.

  3. Call the LoadProperties method. If this method returns false, either the properties specified in step 2 are incorrect or the publication does not exist on the server.

  4. Perform a bitwise logical AND (& in Visual C# and And in Visual Basic) between the Attributes property and AllowPull. If the result is None, set Attributes to the result of a bitwise logical OR (| in Visual C# and Or in Visual Basic) between Attributes and AllowPull. Then, call CommitPropertyChanges to enable pull subscriptions.

  5. If the subscription database does not exist, create it by using the Database class. For more information, see Creating, Altering, and Removing Databases.

  6. Create an instance of the MergePullSubscription class.

  7. Set the following subscription properties:

  8. Call the Create method.

  9. Using the instance of the MergePublication class from step 2, call the MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown method to register the pull subscription with the Publisher. If this registration already exists, an exception occurs.

Example

This example creates a pull subscription to a transactional publication. The Microsoft Windows account credentials used to create the Distribution Agent job are passed at runtime.

          // Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
            string publicationName = "AdvWorksProductTran";
            string publisherName = publisherInstance;
            string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
            string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica";
            string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2";

            //Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
            ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
            ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

            // Create the objects that we need.
            TransPublication publication;
            TransPullSubscription subscription;

            try
            {
                // Connect to the Publisher and Subscriber.
                subscriberConn.Connect();
                publisherConn.Connect();

                // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
                // it supports pull subscriptions.
                publication = new TransPublication();
                publication.Name = publicationName;
                publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
                publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

                if (publication.IsExistingObject)
                {
                    if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
                    {
                        publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
                    }

                    // Define the pull subscription.
                    subscription = new TransPullSubscription();
                    subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
                    subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
                    subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
                    subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
                    subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;

                    // Specify the Windows login credentials for the Distribution Agent job.
                    subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin;
                    subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword;

                    // Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
                    subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = true;

                    // By default, subscriptions to transactional publications are synchronized 
                    // continuously, but in this case we only want to synchronize on demand.
                    subscription.AgentSchedule.FrequencyType = ScheduleFrequencyType.OnDemand;

                    // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
                    subscription.Create();

                    Boolean registered = false;

                    // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
                    foreach (TransSubscription existing
                        in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
                    {
                        if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                            && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName)
                        {
                            registered = true;
                        }
                    }
                    if (!registered)
                    {
                        // Register the subscription with the Publisher.
                        publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                            subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                            SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                            TransSubscriberType.ReadOnly);
                    }
                }
                else
                {
                    // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
                    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                        "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
                        publicationName, publisherName));
                }
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
                throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                    "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
            }
            finally
            {
                subscriberConn.Disconnect();
                publisherConn.Disconnect();
            }
' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksProductTran"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As TransPublication
Dim subscription As TransPullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Publisher and Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()
    publisherConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = New TransPublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.IsExistingObject Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New TransPullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName
        subscription.Description = "Pull subscription to " + publicationDbName _
        + " on " + subscriberName + "."

        ' Specify the Windows login credentials for the Distribution Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword

        ' Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = True

        ' By default, subscriptions to transactional publications are synchronized 
        ' continuously, but in this case we only want to synchronize on demand.
        subscription.AgentSchedule.FrequencyType = ScheduleFrequencyType.OnDemand

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As TransSubscription In publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName And _
                existing.SubscriptionDBName = subscriptionDbName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next existing
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             TransSubscriberType.ReadOnly)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

This example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication. The Windows account credentials used to create the Merge Agent job are passed at runtime.

         // Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
            string publicationName = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge";
            string publisherName = publisherInstance;
            string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
            string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica";
            string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2";
            string hostname = @"adventure-works\garrett1";

            //Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
            ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
            ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

            // Create the objects that we need.
            MergePublication publication;
            MergePullSubscription subscription;

            try
            {
                // Connect to the Subscriber.
                subscriberConn.Connect();

                // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
                // it supports pull subscriptions.
                publication = new MergePublication();
                publication.Name = publicationName;
                publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
                publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

                if (publication.LoadProperties())
                {
                    if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
                    {
                        publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
                    }

                    // Define the pull subscription.
                    subscription = new MergePullSubscription();
                    subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
                    subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
                    subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
                    subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
                    subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;
                    subscription.HostName = hostname;

                    // Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
                    subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin;
                    subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword;

                    // Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
                    subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = true;

                    // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
                    subscription.Create();

                    Boolean registered = false;

                    // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
                    foreach (MergeSubscription existing
                        in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
                    {
                        if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                            && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName
                            && existing.SubscriptionType == SubscriptionOption.Pull)
                        {
                            registered = true;
                        }
                    }
                    if (!registered)
                    {
                        // Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
                        publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                            subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                            SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                            MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0);
                    }
                }
                else
                {
                    // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
                    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                        "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
                        publicationName, publisherName));
                }
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
                throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                    "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
            }
            finally
            {
                subscriberConn.Disconnect();
                publisherConn.Disconnect();
            }
' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2"
Dim hostname As String = "adventure-works\garrett1"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As MergePublication
Dim subscription As MergePullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = New MergePublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.LoadProperties() Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New MergePullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName
        subscription.HostName = hostname

        ' Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword

        ' Make sure that the agent job for the subscription is created.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = True

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As MergeSubscription In _
        publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
        "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

This example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication without creating an associated agent job and subscription metadata in MSsubscription_properties. The Windows account credentials used to create the Merge Agent job are passed at runtime.

         // Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
            string publicationName = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge";
            string publisherName = publisherInstance;
            string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
            string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica";
            string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2";

            //Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
            ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
            ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

            // Create the objects that we need.
            MergePublication publication;
            MergePullSubscription subscription;

            try
            {
                // Connect to the Subscriber.
                subscriberConn.Connect();

                // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
                // it supports pull subscriptions.
                publication = new MergePublication();
                publication.Name = publicationName;
                publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
                publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

                if (publication.LoadProperties())
                {
                    if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
                    {
                        publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
                    }

                    // Define the pull subscription.
                    subscription = new MergePullSubscription();
                    subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
                    subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
                    subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
                    subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
                    subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;

                    // Specify that an agent job not be created for this subscription. The
                    // subscription can only be synchronized by running the Merge Agent directly.
                    // Subscripition metadata stored in MSsubscription_properties will not
                    // be available and must be specified at run time.
                    subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = false;

                    // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
                    subscription.Create();

                    Boolean registered = false;

                    // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
                    foreach (MergeSubscription existing
                        in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
                    {
                        if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                            && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName
                            && existing.SubscriptionType == SubscriptionOption.Pull)
                        {
                            registered = true;
                        }
                    }
                    if (!registered)
                    {
                        // Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
                        publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                            subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                            SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                            MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0);
                    }
                }
                else
                {
                    // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
                    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                        "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
                        publicationName, publisherName));
                }
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
                throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                    "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
            }
            finally
            {
                subscriberConn.Disconnect();
                publisherConn.Disconnect();
            }
' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As MergePublication
Dim subscription As MergePullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions.
    publication = New MergePublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.LoadProperties() Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New MergePullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName

        ' Specify that an agent job not be created for this subscription. The
        ' subscription can only be synchronized by running the Merge Agent directly.
        ' Subscripition metadata stored in MSsubscription_properties will not
        ' be available and must be specified at run time.
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = False

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As MergeSubscription In _
        publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
     "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try

This example creates a pull subscription to a merge publication that can be synchronized over the Internet using Web synchronization. The Windows account credentials used to create the Merge Agent job are passed at runtime. For more information, see How to: Configure Web Synchronization for Merge Replication (RMO Programming)

            // Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
            string publicationName = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge";
            string publisherName = publisherInstance;
            string subscriberName = subscriberInstance;
            string subscriptionDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica";
            string publicationDbName = "AdventureWorks2008R2";
            string hostname = @"adventure-works\garrett1";
            string webSyncUrl = "https://" + publisherInstance + "/WebSync/replisapi.dll";

            //Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
            ServerConnection subscriberConn = new ServerConnection(subscriberName);
            ServerConnection publisherConn = new ServerConnection(publisherName);

            // Create the objects that we need.
            MergePublication publication;
            MergePullSubscription subscription;

            try
            {
                // Connect to the Subscriber.
                subscriberConn.Connect();

                // Ensure that the publication exists and that 
                // it supports pull subscriptions and Web synchronization.
                publication = new MergePublication();
                publication.Name = publicationName;
                publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName;
                publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn;

                if (publication.LoadProperties())
                {
                    if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) == 0)
                    {
                        publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowPull;
                    }
                    if ((publication.Attributes & PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization) == 0)
                    {
                        publication.Attributes |= PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization;
                    }

                    // Define the pull subscription.
                    subscription = new MergePullSubscription();
                    subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn;
                    subscription.PublisherName = publisherName;
                    subscription.PublicationName = publicationName;
                    subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName;
                    subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName;
                    subscription.HostName = hostname;

                    // Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
                    subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin;
                    subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword;

                    // Enable Web synchronization.
                    subscription.UseWebSynchronization = true;
                    subscription.InternetUrl = webSyncUrl;

                    // Specify the same Windows credentials to use when connecting to the
                    // Web server using HTTPS Basic Authentication.
                    subscription.InternetSecurityMode = AuthenticationMethod.BasicAuthentication;
                    subscription.InternetLogin = winLogin;
                    subscription.InternetPassword = winPassword;

                    // Ensure that we create a job for this subscription.
                    subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = true;

                    // Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
                    subscription.Create();

                    Boolean registered = false;

                    // Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
                    foreach (MergeSubscription existing
                        in publication.EnumSubscriptions())
                    {
                        if (existing.SubscriberName == subscriberName
                            && existing.SubscriptionDBName == subscriptionDbName
                            && existing.SubscriptionType == SubscriptionOption.Pull)
                        {
                            registered = true;
                        }
                    }
                    if (!registered)
                    {
                        // Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
                        publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown(
                            subscriberName, subscriptionDbName,
                            SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic,
                            MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0);
                    }
                }
                else
                {
                    // Do something here if the publication does not exist.
                    throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                        "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.",
                        publicationName, publisherName));
                }
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                // Implement the appropriate error handling here.
                throw new ApplicationException(String.Format(
                    "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex);
            }
            finally
            {
                subscriberConn.Disconnect();
                publisherConn.Disconnect();
            }
' Define the Publisher, publication, and databases.
Dim publicationName As String = "AdvWorksSalesOrdersMerge"
Dim publisherName As String = publisherInstance
Dim subscriberName As String = subscriberInstance
Dim subscriptionDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2Replica"
Dim publicationDbName As String = "AdventureWorks2008R2"
Dim hostname As String = "adventure-works\garrett1"
Dim webSyncUrl As String = "https://" + publisherInstance + "/WebSync/replisapi.dll"

'Create connections to the Publisher and Subscriber.
Dim subscriberConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(subscriberName)
Dim publisherConn As ServerConnection = New ServerConnection(publisherName)

' Create the objects that we need.
Dim publication As MergePublication
Dim subscription As MergePullSubscription

Try
    ' Connect to the Subscriber.
    subscriberConn.Connect()

    ' Ensure that the publication exists and that 
    ' it supports pull subscriptions and Web synchronization.
    publication = New MergePublication()
    publication.Name = publicationName
    publication.DatabaseName = publicationDbName
    publication.ConnectionContext = publisherConn

    If publication.LoadProperties() Then
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowPull) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowPull
        End If
        If (publication.Attributes And PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization) = 0 Then
            publication.Attributes = publication.Attributes _
            Or PublicationAttributes.AllowWebSynchronization
        End If

        ' Define the pull subscription.
        subscription = New MergePullSubscription()
        subscription.ConnectionContext = subscriberConn
        subscription.PublisherName = publisherName
        subscription.PublicationName = publicationName
        subscription.PublicationDBName = publicationDbName
        subscription.DatabaseName = subscriptionDbName
        subscription.HostName = hostname
        subscription.CreateSyncAgentByDefault = True

        ' Specify the Windows login credentials for the Merge Agent job.
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Login = winLogin
        subscription.SynchronizationAgentProcessSecurity.Password = winPassword

        ' Enable Web synchronization.
        subscription.UseWebSynchronization = True
        subscription.InternetUrl = webSyncUrl

        ' Specify the same Windows credentials to use when connecting to the
        ' Web server using HTTPS Basic Authentication.
        subscription.InternetSecurityMode = AuthenticationMethod.BasicAuthentication
        subscription.InternetLogin = winLogin
        subscription.InternetPassword = winPassword

        ' Create the pull subscription at the Subscriber.
        subscription.Create()

        Dim registered As Boolean = False

        ' Verify that the subscription is not already registered.
        For Each existing As MergeSubscription In _
        publication.EnumSubscriptions()
            If existing.SubscriberName = subscriberName Then
                registered = True
            End If
        Next
        If Not registered Then
            ' Register the local subscription with the Publisher.
            publication.MakePullSubscriptionWellKnown( _
             subscriberName, subscriptionDbName, _
             SubscriptionSyncType.Automatic, _
             MergeSubscriberType.Local, 0)
        End If
    Else
        ' Do something here if the publication does not exist.
        Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
         "The publication '{0}' does not exist on {1}.", _
         publicationName, publisherName))
    End If
Catch ex As Exception
    ' Implement the appropriate error handling here.
    Throw New ApplicationException(String.Format( _
     "The subscription to {0} could not be created.", publicationName), ex)
Finally
    subscriberConn.Disconnect()
    publisherConn.Disconnect()
End Try