Regarding replication of image type data between two database servers

[Dhisni De Costa]

Hi, I need some advice regarding replication of database tables which includes binary data stored as Images. Currently the database in the server stores PDF files as binary Images in the tables. A web service is used to get data from the .NET application and to store it in the database. There is a new requirement to replicate all this data to another database in a server located at a different site. Can someone please advise me on the following? 1. Do you think storing PDF files as binary images is the best approach or would it be good to store in a file server? Most PDF file sizes are less than 1MB, but there can be thousands of these created. Currently this is implemented as storing the PDF files as binary images in the database. But, I would like to know which would be the best solution. 2. How will the performance be if, Two-Way replication is used for databases located in different sites and which includes image data? 3. According to my understanding Two-Way replication can only be implemented using SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. Is that correct or can it be implemented using older versions as well? 4. Is there any other way than, using Two-Way replication to replicate data (which includes image types) to a database server located at a different site? Please note that image data on one server needs to be deleted after a certain action is made and it will remain on the other to gather the history. 5. What sort of an internet connection is required to perform replication between two sites? I would greatly appreciate if someone could advice me on the above. Thanks!