sp_adddistributor (Transact-SQL)

Creates an entry in the sys.sysservers table (if there is not one), marks the server entry as a Distributor, and stores property information. This stored procedure is executed at the Distributor on the master database to register and mark the server as a distributor. In the case of a remote distributor, it is also executed at the Publisher from the master database to register the remote distributor.

Topic link iconTransact-SQL Syntax Conventions

Syntax

sp_adddistributor [ @distributor= ] 'distributor' 
    [ , [ @heartbeat_interval= ] heartbeat_interval ] 
    [ , [ @password= ] 'password' ] 
    [ , [ @from_scripting= ] from_scripting ]

Arguments

  • [ @distributor=] 'distributor'
    Is the distribution server name. distributor is sysname, with no default. This parameter is only used if setting up a remote Distributor. It adds entries for the Distributor properties in the msdb..MSdistributor table.

  • [ @heartbeat_interval=] heartbeat_interval
    Is the maximum number of minutes that an agent can go without logging a progress message. heartbeat_interval is int, with a default of 10 minutes. A SQL Server Agent job is created that runs on this interval to check the status of the replication agents that are running.

  • [ @password=] 'password']
    Is the password of the distributor_admin login. password is sysname, with a default of NULL. If NULL or an empty string, password is reset to a random value. The password must be configured when the first remote distributor is added. distributor_admin login and password are stored for linked server entry used for a distributor RPC connection, including local connections. If distributor is local, the password for distributor_admin is set to a new value. For Publishers with a remote Distributor, the same value for password must be specified when executing sp_adddistributor at both the Publisher and Distributor. sp_changedistributor_password can be used to change the Distributor password.

    Security noteSecurity Note

    When possible, prompt users to enter security credentials at runtime. If you must store credentials in a script file, you must secure the file to prevent unauthorized access.

  • [ @from_scripting= ] from_scripting
    Identified for informational purposes only. Not supported. Future compatibility is not guaranteed.

Return Code Values

0 (success) or 1 (failure)

Remarks

sp_adddistributor is used in snapshot replication, transactional replication, and merge replication.

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".

-- Install the Distributor and the distribution database.
DECLARE @distributor AS sysname;
DECLARE @distributionDB AS sysname;
DECLARE @publisher AS sysname;
DECLARE @directory AS nvarchar(500);
DECLARE @publicationDB AS sysname;
-- Specify the Distributor name.
SET @distributor = $(DistPubServer);
-- Specify the distribution database.
SET @distributionDB = N'distribution';
-- Specify the Publisher name.
SET @publisher = $(DistPubServer);
-- Specify the replication working directory.
SET @directory = N'\\' + $(DistPubServer) + '\repldata';
-- Specify the publication database.
SET @publicationDB = N'AdventureWorks'; 

-- Install the server MYDISTPUB as a Distributor using the defaults,
-- including autogenerating the distributor password.
USE master
EXEC sp_adddistributor @distributor = @distributor;

-- Create a new distribution database using the defaults, including
-- using Windows Authentication.
USE master
EXEC sp_adddistributiondb @database = @distributionDB, 
    @security_mode = 1;
GO

-- Create a Publisher and enable AdventureWorks for replication.
-- Add MYDISTPUB as a publisher with MYDISTPUB as a local distributor
-- and use Windows Authentication.
DECLARE @distributionDB AS sysname;
DECLARE @publisher AS sysname;
-- Specify the distribution database.
SET @distributionDB = N'distribution';
-- Specify the Publisher name.
SET @publisher = $(DistPubServer);

USE [distribution]
EXEC sp_adddistpublisher @publisher=@publisher, 
    @distribution_db=@distributionDB, 
    @security_mode = 1;
GO 

Permissions

Only members of the sysadmin fixed server role can execute sp_adddistributor.