I have one AD domain spanning multiple sites with one
central hub site. I have created links between the
central site and each branch office. My question is do I
have to create Site Link Bridges in order for DCs in the
different branch offices to talk to each other, or will
they be smart enough to always replicate through the
central office?

I do not mind if information replication between offices
takes longer since the info has to always go throught the
main office.

Thanks,

Vlad Nicolaescu

Vlad Nicolaescu wrote:

> I have one AD domain spanning multiple sites with one
> central hub site. I have created links between the
> central site and each branch office. My question is do I
> have to create Site Link Bridges in order for DCs in the
> different branch offices to talk to each other, or will
> they be smart enough to always replicate through the
> central office?
>
> I do not mind if information replication between offices
> takes longer since the info has to always go throught the
> main office.
>

I have similiar configuration in my network - we have additional
mid-level sites. In my case all replication links was created manually
with schedul for replications in specified hours (this schedul is
specific need for my network). In my case KCC was completly disabled and
we created manually all replication links

I think You can start with reading KB244368 - How to Optimize Active
Directory Replication in a Large Network

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=244368

In my opinion You sould disable KCC, create manually all replication
lnks form sites to hub and design proper for Your needs replication
schedule for each site - the best situation will be I think that if each
site will have assigned to it "replication window".

--
Tomasz Onyszko [MVP]
(E-Mail Removed)
http://www.w2k.pl

As long as you have links between the WAN sites and your hub site and that is
the only site links the sites are in, they will communicate with the hub site
and then the hub site will pass that info onto other WAN Sites.

--
Joe Richards Microsoft MVP Windows Server Directory Services
www.joeware.net



Vlad Nicolaescu wrote:
> I have one AD domain spanning multiple sites with one
> central hub site. I have created links between the
> central site and each branch office. My question is do I
> have to create Site Link Bridges in order for DCs in the
> different branch offices to talk to each other, or will
> they be smart enough to always replicate through the
> central office?
>
> I do not mind if information replication between offices
> takes longer since the info has to always go throught the
> main office.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Vlad Nicolaescu