Continuous mode   In continuous mode, the SQL Remote Message Agent (dbremote) periodically sends messages, at times specified by the send frequency properties of each remote user. When it is not sending messages, it receives messages as they arrive.

Continuous mode is useful at consolidated databases, where messages may be coming in and going out at any time, to spread out the workload and to ensure prompt replication.

Batch mode   In batch mode, the SQL Remote Message Agent (dbremote) receives and processes incoming messages, scans the transaction log once, creates and sends the outgoing messages, and then stops.

Batch mode is useful at occasionally-connected remote databases, where messages can only be exchanged with the consolidated database when a connection is made, for example, when the remote database dials up to the main network.