Synchronization Server, one of the key component tools of PowerOLAP®, automatically synchronizes one or more stand-alone or MDB server databases with the Synchronization Server SQL database acting as the mediator for data changes transfer. This server model is the solution for consolidating information coming from a dispersed environment in order to obtain a single version of truth. Synchronization Server is a highly flexible mechanism for providing sharing characteristics to any PowerOLAP® users in that it enables users to share their local PowerOLAP databases with other users by connecting them using a local network (LAN) or via the internet.
The Synchronization Server feature utilizes the MS SQL Server in such a way that it creates a SQL database which in fact becomes the Synchronization Server database comprising all the referential information which will support the synchronization process between multiple users. This will centralize all the data coming in and out of different PowerOLAP databases and will act as a vehicle for updating all the multidimensional databases coming from different machines as well as those databases running in PowerOLAP® Servers.
A key benefit of the Synchronization Server is that users can disconnect from the network, work 'offline' as a 'Remote Client' and then resynchronize with their modifications upon returning to the network. In turn, all other users will receive updates when they synchronize too. All the security features available in PowerOLAP® are replicated to the Synchronization Server and are enforced in local client or MDB Server-based databases. Also, because it can mediate data between databases located on two or more PowerOLAP® MDB Servers, Synchronization Server can act as a load balance mechanism between them.
Synchronization Server employs the "last in wins" approach to synchronization. This means that the last model updates via the Synchronization server will be the most current.
Synchronization Server allows Synchronization in all 4 scenarios below:
[given that the ‘originating PowerOLAP file/OLP’ is on the left and the ‘Sync Copy database’ is on the left.]
1. Standalone PowerOLAP DB ←→ SQL Server ←→ Standalone PowerOLAP DB
2. Standalone PowerOLAP DB ←→ SQL Server ←→ PowerOLAP MDB Server
3. PowerOLAP MDB Server ←→ SQL Server ←→ PowerOLAP MDB Server
4. PowerOLAP MDB Server ←→ SQL Server ←→ Standalone PowerOLAP DB
Please see the following topics: