Is SQL Server Distribution Database Required by HVR for Log-Based Capture?

Question

Is the SQL Server distribution database required by HVR for log-based capture?

Environment

HVR 5

Answer

A distribution database is created by a user with sysadmin privileges for a SQL Server instance only if articles are used.

If a log-based capture is setup from SQL Server as a source then there are two ways in which capture action can be configured to enable supplemental logging in the SQL server:

• Capture /SupplementalLogging=CDCTAB
• Capture /SupplementalLogging=ARTICLE_OR_CDCTAB

If the first one is used, i.e., CDC tables are used to enable supplemental logging, you need to have the source database enabled for replication, and the distribution database is not needed.

If the second one is used, i.e., articles, SQL Server's own replication components are used to enable supplemental logging, you need a distribution database.