We have a database of common data used across many applications. We've recently added spatial datatypes. We are using a linked server so when applications move and servers are replaced we don't break anyone application AND so we do not have to replicate the database across 20+ servers.
Unfortunately you can not query spatial data types across linked servers without converting the data on the linked server to WKT or WKB and then converting it back (STGeomFromText, STGeomFromBinary) where ever it is used. Nor do we want the same views created over and over again in 200+ databases. Putting a common database on each server brings us back to the original position of not wanting to replicate a database across 20 servers.
Has anyone come up with a good solution to this issue? We want a way to access spatial data remotely without having to convert and unconvert everytime it's used or replicate a 1.6 GB database across multiple servers?
Thank you.