Hello MSDN'rs,
I have a publication configured which allows subscribers to merge replicate over HTTP. In addition due to internet bandwidth constraints I also developed a DVD based deployment for the initial configuration of the subscribers and the downloading of the initial snapshot from the DVD as an alternative location.
This has been working very well (to the extent that I have forgotten most of what I learned!). However a recent change to the schema of the database has resulted in some problems occuring as the solution provided (without my knowledge) for any new subscribers is to run the installation DVD that sets up the subscription database, performs the initial snapshot download from the DVD, perform a merge replication then run a script to address the schema changes and run the merge replication again. This workaround seems to be failing consistently.
Therefore I would like to generate a new snapshot so I can update the installation DVD and any new subscribers will be configured with the seamless error free way that was intended. However I cannot for the life of me find recollect (or find out) if the generation of a new snapshot will invalidate the snapshot currently in place (thus invalidating the current installation DVDs) and also if it will force any current subscribers to download the entire new snapshot via the HTTP method (I suspect not but I would like to be absolutely sure as this could cause very big problems).
Thanks in advance.
spar1grep