Active Directory ^™ , the directory service that is included with Microsoft® Windows® 2000, is a distributed directory service. Objects in the directory are distributed across the domain controllers in a forest, and all domain controllers in a domain can be updated directly. Replication is the process by which the changes that are made on one domain controller are synchronized with all other domain controllers in the domain or forest that store copies of the same information. Data integrity is maintained by tracking changes on each domain controller and updating other domain controllers in a systematic way. Active Directory replication uses a connection topology that is created automatically, which makes optimal use of beneficial network connections and frees the administrators from having to make such decisions.

In This Chapter

Active Directory Replication Model

Active Directory Updates

Replication Topology

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Related Information in the Resource Kit

• For more information about planning sites, site topology, and domain controller location, see "Designing the Active Directory Structure" in the Microsoft ® Windows ®  2000 Server Resource Kit Deployment Planning Guide .

• For more information about the Active Directory database and object storage, see "Active Directory Data Storage" in this book.

• For more information about the directory tree, see "Active Directory Logical Structure" in this book.

• For information about troubleshooting Active Directory replication, see "Active Directory Diagnostics, Troubleshooting, and Recovery" in this book.

• For information about Active Directory replication and restoring domain controllers, see "Active Directory Backup and Restore" in this book.

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