In a Sybase replication system, there are several unique user IDs required. Sybase recommends that you provide a unique user ID for each role and component combination in your environment.
Each component (database, Replication Server, Replication Agent, and ECDA) must have some user ID defined to maintain or administer that component. Typically, maintenance tasks involve changing configuration parameters and access for the component “server.”
For Sybase products, the default component System Administrator user ID is typically sa. While it may be tempting to leave all of the components with an sa user defined, you may grant access to more components and more authority than intended or prudent. Do not confuse a component System Administrator user with a Replication Server connection Maintenance User. The Replication Server Maintenance User has authority to apply database transactions at a replicate database. It does not require authority to maintain the configuration of a replication system component.
Each Replication Agent requires a user ID in the primary database that can modify primary tables and procedures marked for replication and scan log files. This user ID does not perform the same function as the Replication Server Maintenance User ID, which is responsible for applying replicate transactions in a replicate database.
