Need for Distributor server in existing Replication Setup

We have a setup with one Publisher Server and 15 Subscribers with merge replication configured for all subscribers. The current Database size is approximately 3 GB expected to grow to 10 GB in next 1 year. We wanted to know what benefits would we incur if we add an additional seperate distributor server (hardware box). Also, what is the approx. size of a database where a seperate distributor server (hardware box) is recommended.

Thanks in advanceRead up on replication in SQL Books Online (provided with SQL Server). It covers a lot of the trade-offs in detail. Without knowing a LOT more about your configuration, plans, etc. I don't know how to give you a simple answer.

Typically, when you have one publisher with only 15 subscribers, the load isn't too heavy unless the publisher is stressed. The primary advantage comes from improved security, better network performance, and better managability. As your system grows (more data and more subscribers), then the performance benefits will start to come into play.

Again, without a lot more understanding of what you are doing now and what you plan to do in the near future, I really can't give you a straightforward answer.

-PatP|||Sometimes you make me crack up, I swear. ..."only 15 subscribers"... You'll see an immediate benefit even if you have just 1 subscriber...man, how many of those have you set up?|||Nice to know that you find me good for something!

I've set up about six production replication systems, a few hundred training systems, and I'm not really sure how many test systems. As I said in my first post, without knowing a lot more about what the poster wants and what they've actually got, any observation I can offer is only in very general terms.

Based on my experience, if you set up at least one NIC for replication on a relatively beefy box, it can handle a reasonable user load along with the replication... If you try to skimp on bandwidth, RAM, or processing power, you can certainly swamp any box.

It seems obvious to me that having a separate distributor is better than having one box do both, so on that point we certainly agree. I guess the question is where do you see the performance "knee" due to the additional load imposed by distribution. Without knowing a lot more, I don't see how you can offer much insight there.

-PatP|||Hey, I just felt that having 15 subscribers is enough to predict that a dedicated distributor is well due, that's all ;)