---
title: "Get-DbaReplDistributor"
description: "Retrieves replication distributor configuration and status information from SQL Server instances."
url: "https://dbatools.io/Get-DbaReplDistributor/"
availability: "Windows only"
tags: ["Replication"]
author: "William Durkin (@sql_williamd)"
source: "https://github.com/dataplat/dbatools/blob/master/public/Get-DbaReplDistributor.ps1"
last_updated: "2024-01-01"
---

# Get-DbaReplDistributor

## Synopsis

Retrieves replication distributor configuration and status information from SQL Server instances.

## Description

Connects to SQL Server instances and retrieves detailed information about their replication distributor configuration, including distributor status, distribution database details, and publisher relationships. This is essential for DBAs managing replication topologies who need to quickly identify which servers act as distributors, where the distribution database is located, and whether remote publishers are configured. The function returns comprehensive distributor properties that help with replication troubleshooting, topology documentation, and configuration audits.

## Syntax

```powershell
Get-DbaReplDistributor
    [-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [-EnableException]
    [<CommonParameters>]

```

## Examples

### Example 1: Retrieve distributor information for servers sql2008 and sqlserver2012

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-DbaReplDistributor -SqlInstance sql2008, sqlserver2012
```

### Example 2: Pipe a SQL Server instance to Get-DbaReplDistributor to retrieve distributor information

```powershell
PS C:\> Connect-DbaInstance -SqlInstance mssql1 | Get-DbaReplDistributor
```

### Required Parameters

##### -SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances to check for replication distributor configuration.  
Use this to identify which servers in your environment are configured as distributors, where the distribution database is located, and whether they support remote publishers.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | True |
| Pipeline | true (ByValue) |
| Default Value |  |

### Optional Parameters

##### -SqlCredential

Login to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential).  
Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported.  
For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value |  |

##### -EnableException

By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message.  
This avoids overwhelming you with "sea of red" exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting.  
Using this switch turns this "nice by default" feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value | False |

## Outputs

**Microsoft.SqlServer.Replication.ReplicationServer**

Returns one ReplicationServer object per SQL Server instance with replication configuration and status information.

**Default display properties:**

- ComputerName: The computer name of the SQL Server instance
- InstanceName: The SQL Server instance name
- SqlInstance: The full SQL Server instance name (computer\instance)
- IsPublisher: Boolean indicating if the instance is configured as a replication publisher
- IsDistributor: Boolean indicating if the instance is configured as a replication distributor
- DistributionServer: The name of the server hosting the distribution database (null if not a distributor)
- DistributionDatabase: The name of the distribution database (null if not a distributor)
- DistributorInstalled: Boolean indicating if distributor components are installed on the instance
- DistributorAvailable: Boolean indicating if the distributor is currently available and functional
- HasRemotePublisher: Boolean indicating if the distributor has remote publishers configured

**Additional properties available from the ReplicationServer object:**

- ReplicationDatabases: Collection of databases enabled for replication (not necessarily actively replicated)
- DistributionDatabaseAvailable: Boolean indicating if the distribution database is accessible
- HardwareBoundary: Indicates hardware boundary for replication
- PublisherList: Collection of publishers using this distributor
Use Select-Object * to access all available properties from the ReplicationServer object.

---

Part of [dbatools](https://dbatools.io/), a free and open source PowerShell module for SQL Server administration. Full command index: https://dbatools.io/commands/