Merge Replication Slow after period of inactivity

Hi Guys,
I don't know if you can help, I have a couple of issue with Merge
replication running on SQL Server 2000 SP3a.
I install merge replication and build all the snapshot for the pull
subscriptions and create the subscriptions running on the local machines
(MSDE 2000). This particular installation has 70 local machines and 140
subscriptions.
The problem I am seeing is that if the machines are not communicated for a
period of time, even though no data has changed on the local machines or
server, it can take ages for the communications process to complete,
sometimes in excess of 3 hours.
If anyone could shed some light on this issue I would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks Tim.
Have a look at this white paper for hints on what causes this and how to
improve its performance.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...artitioned.asp
"Tim Ford" <timford@.removethisin2focus.com> wrote in message
news:#iNZR#ptEHA.2452@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi Guys,
> I don't know if you can help, I have a couple of issue with Merge
> replication running on SQL Server 2000 SP3a.
> I install merge replication and build all the snapshot for the pull
> subscriptions and create the subscriptions running on the local machines
> (MSDE 2000). This particular installation has 70 local machines and 140
> subscriptions.
> The problem I am seeing is that if the machines are not communicated for a
> period of time, even though no data has changed on the local machines or
> server, it can take ages for the communications process to complete,
> sometimes in excess of 3 hours.
> If anyone could shed some light on this issue I would be greatly
> appreciated.
> Thanks Tim.
>