This is the scenario: 4 SQL Server
Stage Env
ServerA (2008R2) -Publication\distribution
ServerB (2008R2)-Subscriber
Prod Env
ServerC (2012)-Publication\distribution
ServerD (2012)-Subscriber
All above servers (Stage and Prod) configured with merge replication and contains 20 database. Stage Env and Prod Env contains same databases the only difference is SQL version.
Now we are planning to move databases from Stage Env to Prod Env and then configure merge replication.
Both Stage and Prod contains same Databases but recently we did some modifications in Stage. Now we are planning to update same in Prod.
What is the easier method with minimal downtime?
This is my Plan Please correct me if i am wrong.
1. Take the backup of all 20 databases from ServerA
2. Delete Merge Replication and 20 databases in ServerC and ServerD.
3. Restore 20 databases on ServerC and ServerD then configure Merge Replication
Is it correct process? or with out deleting replication and DB is there any other method. I don't think so.