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SQL Server Troubleshooting

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Snapshot Agent: The process could not create file \\<UNC-file>

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Symptom:

A snapshot agent has failed, the associated error message being:

The process could not create file \\<UNC-file>

The NT event log may also contain an information message of the form:

SubSystem Message - Job '<SERVER>-<DATABASE>-<SNAPSHOT NAME>-1' (<hex-number>, step 2 - The process could not create file \\<UNC-file>

After an initial set-up of replication the 'UNC-file' will be something like '\\<server-name>\ c$\ mssql\ ReplData\ unc\ <server>_<database>_<snapshot name>'.

Possible Causes:

The snapshot agent could not create or could not read the specified file.

Remedy:

• If the UNC filename is using a default share (e.g. C$ or D$) then the location of the snapshot directory to use an explicit share. I would recommend sharing 'ReplData' as 'REPLDATA' giving the local 'SQLServerAgent' account full access, and the 'SQLServerAgent' process on any remote subscriber servers 'Read-only' access. The location of the snapshot folder can then be specified as:

  \\<SERVER>\REPLDATA

  This is specified under Tools -> Replication -> Configure Publishing, Subscribers and Distribution ...'; select the 'Publishers' tab and double-click the publisher to print up its properties.

• If the UNC filename is not using the default share then check the permissions on the share. See recommendations in point above.

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These notes are believed to be correct for SQL Server 7 and may apply to other versions as well.