How to synchronize SQL Server CE from different clients to SQL Server on a LAN

Synchronizing data between SQL Server Compact Edition (SQL CE) clients and a SQL Server database on a LAN can be done using various techniques. One common approach is to use a middleware application, such as a web service, to transfer data between the clients and the server. Here is a general outline of the steps involved:

• Create a web service that will act as a bridge between the SQL CE clients and the SQL Server database.
• On each SQL CE client, modify the data access code to call the web service to transfer data to the server. You can use ADO.NET or LINQ to SQL to create the data access code.
• On the server, create a database table to store the data from the clients.
• On the web service, write the logic to transfer the data from the SQL CE clients to the SQL Server database. This may involve copying the data from the SQL CE client to a data transfer object (DTO), which can then be sent to the server.
• On the server, write the logic to receive the DTO from the web service and insert the data into the SQL Server database.
• Repeat this process in the opposite direction to transfer data from the SQL Server database back to the SQL CE clients.
• Test the synchronization process by making changes on one or more SQL CE clients and verifying that the changes are properly transferred to the SQL Server database, and vice versa.
• This is just one approach to synchronizing data between SQL CE clients and a SQL Server database on a LAN, and there are many other ways to accomplish this task, depending on your specific requirements and constraints.

Another Approach

• Create a SQL Server database: Create a database on the central SQL Server instance that will serve as the central repository for data.
• Create SQL CE databases: Create SQL CE databases on each client that will be used to store data locally.
• Create Sync Providers: Using the Sync Framework, create sync providers for both the SQL Server database and the SQL CE databases. A sync provider is responsible for communicating with the data source and handling the synchronization process.
• Define the synchronization scope: Define the scope of the synchronization, including the tables and columns that will be synchronized, as well as any filters or relationships that will be applied to the data.
• Configure the synchronization process: Configure the synchronization process, including the frequency of synchronization and any conflict resolution rules.
• Initialize the synchronization: Trigger the initial synchronization between the SQL CE databases and the central SQL Server database. This can be done manually, or it can be automated to occur at regular intervals.
• Monitor the synchronization: Monitor the synchronization process to ensure that data is being correctly transferred between the SQL CE databases and the central SQL Server database.
• The exact steps to implement the synchronization may vary depending on your specific requirements, but the above steps should provide a general outline of the process.