Connected and disconnected replication

This topic applies to ArcGIS for Desktop Standard and ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced only.

Geodatabase replication works in both connected and disconnected environments.

With connected replication, replica geodatabases are connected by computer networks (wired or wireless). This can be either of the following:

• Always connected—The replica geodatabases are accessible on the network at all times.
• Intermittently connected—In these cases, the replicas are only occasionally accessible over the same network. Replica creation and synchronization can be performed at times when both replica geodatabases are on the network.

Disconnected replication occurs when the replica geodatabases are not connected by any computer network.

The replica creation process, synchronization process, and the process of applying schema changes can all be performed in either a connected or a disconnected environment.