What is the difference between replication and mirroring?

Replication and mirroring serve different purposes in data management and backup strategies. Replication involves transferring data from a primary site to a secondary site, creating copies of the data that can be utilized for redundancy, disaster recovery, or load balancing. This means that the data is not necessarily stored in the same location, allowing the secondary site to remain independent and operational in the event of a primary site failure.

On the other hand, mirroring is the process of creating an exact copy of data at the same site. This typically means that data is duplicated in real-time or near real-time, ensuring that there is an identical set of data available immediately within the same environment. Mirroring focuses on ensuring high availability and data resilience at a single location, allowing for immediate access to the exact same dataset.

The distinction is significant in terms of disaster recovery planning and data integrity maintenance, with replication often being used for broader geographical redundancy and mirroring primarily aimed at local data protection. This understanding clarifies the unique objectives and functionalities that both processes are designed to achieve.