sql server replication: I need to sync a table which has millions of rows. The idea is to
backup-restore.
Create the snapshot agent and subscription with sync_type = none.

However when the snapshot runs the article is bcped out too. The bcp file is
36GB.
Why does it bcp article table when it is not going to apply?

I can undertand the merge system tables being bcped and applied to subscriber.

Sync_type is a parameter used when adding a subscription, rather than a
publication. With this in mind, I'm not too sure why you are running the
snapshot agent at all ie the snapshot creation is independant of the
sync_type option. You might have anonymous subscribers set up in which case
the snapshot files could be useful later on, before the retention period is
reached...
HTH,

if the snapshot agent doe not run, then merge agent will state error that
'snapshot has not been run" ( something to that effect ). I belive no matter
what the snapshot agent needs to be run to start the capture of new changes
and also to copy the merge replication tables to subscriber. ( which is
expected ). But in the process the snapshoit agent also bcp out the arcticle
tables, though merge agent does not apply it to destination.

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