Monitoring Replication

Monitoring a replication topology is an important aspect of deploying replication. Because replication activity is distributed, it is essential to track activity and status across all computers involved in replication. The following tools can be used to monitor replication:

• Microsoft SQL Server Replication Monitor
  Replication Monitor is the most important tool for monitoring replication, presenting a Publisher-focused view of all replication activity. For more information, see Monitoring Replication with Replication Monitor.
  
• Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
  Management Studio provides access to Replication Monitor. It also allows you to view the current status and last message logged by the following agents and allows you start and stop each agent: Log Reader Agent, Snapshot Agent, Merge Agent, and Distribution Agent. For more information, see How to: Monitor Replication Agents from Management Studio (SQL Server Management Studio).
  
• Transact-SQL and Replication Management Objects (RMO)
  Both interfaces allow you to monitor all types of replication from the Distributor. Merge replication also provides the ability to monitor replication from the Subscriber. For more information, see Monitoring a Replication Topology (Replication Transact-SQL Programming), Monitoring a Replication Topology (RMO Programming), and Subscriber Monitor Sample.
  
• Alerts for replication agent events
  Replication provides a number of predefined alerts for replication agent events, and you can create additional alerts if necessary. Alerts can be used to trigger an automated response to an event and/or notify an administrator. For more information, see Using Alerts for Replication Agent Events.
  
• System Monitor
  System Monitor can be useful for monitoring performance, providing a number of counters for replication. For more information, see Monitoring Replication with System Monitor.