Thanks Tara - Since I am using Web synchronization and direct connection is not an option, I have to create the subscriptions using T-SQL. I just found the "@sync_type" option which if set to "none" will supposedly not download the data files. Note that this is a pull merge subscription, and it does say that "No-synch subscriptions are not supported for merge pull subscriptions." according to KB 320499. I hoped that statement was wrong, So I restored my published DB to the subscriber server, and then setup the subscription like so...I did this on the subscriber machine (in Texas):use [WorkTrack]exec sp_dropmergepullsubscription @publisher = N'GWDDBRDEV001', @publication = N'SDP_GK_Coppell', @publisher_db = N'SDP_GK_Coppell'exec sp_addmergepullsubscription @publisher = N'GWDDBRDEV001', @publication = N'SDP_GK_Coppell', @publisher_db = N'SDP_GK_Coppell', @subscriber_type = N'Local', @subscription_priority = 0, @description = N'', @sync_type = N'none'exec sp_addmergepullsubscription_agent @publisher = N'GWDDBRDEV001', @publisher_db = N'SDP_GK_Coppell', @publication = N'SDP_GK_Coppell', @distributor = N'GWDDBRDEV001', @distributor_security_mode = 0, @distributor_login = N'GK_Coppell', @distributor_password = N'spindle', @enabled_for_syncmgr = N'False', @frequency_type = 1, @frequency_interval = 0, @frequency_relative_interval = 0, @frequency_recurrence_factor = 0, @frequency_subday = 0, @frequency_subday_interval = 0, @active_start_time_of_day = 0, @active_end_time_of_day = 235959, @active_start_date = 0, @active_end_date = 0, @alt_snapshot_folder = N'', @working_directory = N'', @use_ftp = N'False', @job_login = null, @job_password = null, @publisher_security_mode = 0, @publisher_login = N'GK_Coppell', @publisher_password = N'', @use_interactive_resolver = N'False', @dynamic_snapshot_location = N'', @use_web_sync = 1, @internet_url = N'https://SpindleServices.com/SDP_Replication', @internet_login = N'SDP_User', @internet_password = N'', @internet_security_mode = 0, @internet_timeout = 1200
And then this on the publisher (here in Chicago):use [SDP_GK_Coppell]exec sp_addmergesubscription @publication = N'SDP_GK_Coppell', @subscriber = N'DG79FXF1\GK_COPPELL', @subscriber_db = N'WorkTrack', @subscription_type = N'pull', @subscriber_type = N'local', @subscription_priority = 0, @sync_type = N'none'
I then did a Synchronization on the subscriber and it STILL is downloading the bcp's. It also wiped out my rowguid columns from the db restore. sheesh!I will try it without creating a snapshot like you say. If that doesn't work I see where there is an @alt_snapshot_folder in the agent SPROC so I will trf the snapshot manually to the subscriber server and then try that.From now on no machine will leave Chicago before replication is already setup!Any other ideas let me knowThanks,Ken 
Trf Initial Snapshot Manually
Posted - 2008-09-07 : 17:11:08
Thanks Tara.