Microsoft® SQL Server 2012 Unleashed

The Snapshot Agent

The Snapshot Agent is responsible for preparing the schema and initial data files of published tables and stored procedures, storing the snapshot on the distribution server, and recording information about the synchronization status in the distribution database. Each publication has its own Snapshot Agent that runs on the distribution server. It takes on the name of the publication within the publishing database within the machine on which it executes (that is, [Machine][Publishing database][Publication Name]).

Figure 40.20 also shows what this Snapshot Agent looks like under the SQL Server Agent, Job Activity Monitor branch in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). The Snapshot Agent (REPL-Snapshot category name) is named