I have implemented delta detection while loading data warehouse from transaction systems using an identity column or date-time column in source transaction tables. When data needs to be extracted next time, the maximum date-time value extracted last time is used in the filter of extraction query to identify new or changed records. This was good enough except when there were multiple transactions at the same milli second.
But now we have Change Data Capture (CDC) with SQL Server 2008 and it provides a new stuff called LSN (Log Sequence Number) which is binary of length 10. Now I am confused. Which data should be stored for windowing purpose, the LSN or the date-time. Of course LSN eliminates the need for storing additional date-time values in large transaction tables, but does this have any disadvantages? Which one should I use? I feel, the mapping of LSN to date-time and then storing date-time is not a reliable method. What is your opinion?
PS: To, non-BI professionals, Sorry.