Connectivity Cross Version Compatibility (SQL Server Compact 3.5)

 

This blog post explains the Merge Replication connectivity cross version compatibility scenarios for the SQL Server Compact 3.5 release. For more information about the connectivity cross version compatibility scenarios in SQL Server Compact 3.1, see SQL Server Compact 3.1 Connectivity Tools.

 

This post is not applicable/refer-to Sync Services for ADO.NET.  Please refer to this post by Mr. Steve Lasker to know the differences between Sync Services for ADO.NET and Merge Replication.

 

 

Product Version Information:

The following table demonstrates the product names and code names used throughout this blog post.

 

Version	Product Official Name(s)	Product Codename	Nickname
Client 2.0	SQL Server 2000 for Windows CE SQL Server Compact 2.0	<None>	SQL CE 2.0
Client 3.0	SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition SQL Server Compact 3.0	<None>	SQL CE 3.0
Client 3.1	SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition SQL Server Compact 3.1	<None>	SQL CE 3.1
Client 3.5	SQL Server Compact 3.5	<None>	SQL CE 3.5
Server 8.0	SQL Server 2000	Shiloh	SQL Server 8.0
Server 9.0	SQL Server 2005	Yukon	SQL Server 9.0
Server 10.0	SQL Server 2008	Katmai	SQL Server 10.0

 

Summary:

 

1)    SQL Server Compact 3.5 can synchronize with only SQL Server 2005 not with SQL Server 2000.

2)    SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools package enables synchronization between SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.5 and SQL Server 2005 through SQL Server Compact3.5 IIS components.

3)    SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 can synchronize with both SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. 

4)    SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Server Tools package enables synchronization between SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0, 3.1, 3.5 and SQL Server 2008 through SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 IIS components.

 

 

Server Tools Release Plan:

Our release plan for server tools package is as follows: In Phase1, we are releasing SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools package for SQL Server 2005 (Yukon) and SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Beta Server Tools package for SQL Server 2008 (Katmai). In Phase2, we will release the SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Server Tools package for both SQL Server 2005 (Yukon) and SQL Server 2008 (Katmai). This new package will replace the Phase 1 packages.

 

Important:

This blog post does not describe the following deployment scenarios:

1)    Upgrading clients from SQL Server Compact version 2.0 to versions 3.0 and 3.1

2)    Upgrading from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005

3)    Mixed installations including SQL Server compact client versions 2.0, 3.0,  3.1  and SQL Server or publisher versions SQL Server 2000 (8.0), and SQL Server 2005 (9.0)

For more information about these deployment scenarios, please see SQL Server Compact 3.1 Connectivity Tools documentation.

 

 General Information for Deployment:

1)    You can always install SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0 and 3.5 side-by-side.

2)    The version of SQL Server IIS components must be equal to or lesser than the version of  SQL Server Publisher.

3)    You can install the SQL Server IIS components side-by-side . When installing side-by-side, the SQL Server IIS components should be in two different physical and virtual directories.

4)    SQL Server IIS components and SQL Server Compact IIS components reside in IIS server.

5)    You can install the SQL Server IIS components from the SQL Server Installation CD. In feature selection page, choose Shared Features, and then Client Tools to install the SQL Server IIS components.

 

The new rules that apply only to SQL Server Compact v3.x:

1)    The version of SQL Server Compact v3.x client components must be equal to or lesser than the version of SQL Server Compact v3.x IIS components. In other words, SQL Server Compact 3.0 client can connect to 3.0, 3.1, 3.5 IIS components. SQL Server Compact 3.1 client can connect to 3.1, 3.5 IIS components. SQL Server Compact 3.5 client can connect to 3.5 IIS components.

2)    SQL Server Compact 3.x IIS Components are not side-by-side installable.

1.1       Cross Version Compatibility Support Matrix

 

The following table provides the cross version compatibility support for each different type of deployment scenario. The table includes:

·         “Dx”: An identifier for each different scenario.

·         “Existing Support”: A deployment that is already supported. For more information, see SQL Server Compact 3.1 Connectivity Tools.

·         “New Support”: A new supported deployment. This new deployment is explained in this blog post later.

·         “Pending Support”:  Specifies that SQL Server Compact 3.5 RTM does not support synchronization to SQL Server 2008 but this support will be enabled in SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1.

 

Deployment Scenario No	SQL Server Compact Client Version	SQL Server Publisher Version	Supported (Yes/No)	Notes
D1	2.0	N/A	N/A	N/A
D2	3.0/3.1	SQL Server 2000 SP3a or later	Yes	Existing Support
D3	3.0/3.1	SQL Server 2005	Yes	Existing Support
D4	3.0/3.1	SQL Server 2008	Yes