Replication Issue?

[Jeff]

I have a W2K AD forest with 2 domains: a main domain and a child domain.
There are 4 sites defined in AD. One site contains the main domain, one
site contains the child domain, and the other 2 sites have DCs for the main
domain. The site for the main domain contains 2 DCs.

I have not manually configured any replication links for the sites; when the
KCC creates the replication links, they appear to be incorrect. It
automatically created links between the 2 DCs at the main site and a link to
one of the remote sites. It also created a link between one of the remote
sites and the site with the child domain. Finally, it created a link
between the 2 remote sites.

Is this an appropriate configuration? Should I manually create links? I
realize the details may be scetchy. If more details are needed I can
provide them.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Christian Schindler]

Before you decide to manually create replication objects, please have a
check if the
topology is fully generated. You can do this by using DCDIAG(Support Tools
on CD):

DCDIAG /test:topology

If DCDIAG tells you that everything is OK(e.g. connected) - it's up to you
to decide
if you'd like to change the topology. But be carefull!

If you decide to change the replication topology take into account the
underlying network
topology(e.g. Hub and Spoke, etc).

--

Christian Schindler
MCSA / MCSE / MCT / CCEA

Senior Consultant

NTx BackOffice Consulting Group Austria
mailto:[email protected]

 

[Jeff]

I will run the test with dcdiag-that is a good idea. One follow up
question:

Why would the KCC create a topology where one remote site replicates to
another remote site? Logically, it seems like all remote sites should
replicate back to the DCs at our main site?

Perhaps my logic is not right?

Thanks,

JEff

 

[Christian Schindler]

The KCC creates the topology based on the site links.

Site links are per default "transitive" which means that not only the main
site is able to replicate to the remote site, but also the remote sites are
able to
replicate to each other.

You can turn off transitivity in AD Sites & Services: Select "Intersite
Transports", open the
properties of the "IP" container and uncheck the checkbox "Bridge all site
links"

--
Christian Schindler
MCSA / MCSE / MCT / CCEA

Senior Consultant

NTx BackOffice Consulting Group Austria
mailto:[email protected]

 

[Jeff]

If I turn of transitivity, will the KCC re-create the replication links?

Thanks for your assistance on this,

Jeff

 

[Christian Schindler]

Yes it will, but it takes some time.

--
Christian Schindler
MCSA / MCSE / MCT / CCEA

Senior Consultant

NTx BackOffice Consulting Group Austria
mailto:[email protected]

 

[Jeff]

Christian,

One followup question: When I look at the properties for the automatically
generated replication links, there is a spot where I can change what server
the site replicates from. Is changing that the same as creating a link
manually? Should I avoid changing that property of the replication link?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Christian Schindler]

Yes that is ths same. If you consider creating the replication objects
yourself, just keep
in mind, that the KCC will not overrule your connections objects. In other
words:

If you're not creating all necessary connection objects, the topology will
not be
fully connected.

I prefer to let the KCC do the work for me.

--
Christian Schindler
MCSA / MCSE / MCT / CCEA

Senior Consultant

NTx BackOffice Consulting Group Austria
mailto:[email protected]