Replication is the process of duplicating a directory and its contents from an
export server to any number of import servers. With NT Server as the export
server, NT Server, NT Workstation and LAN Manager servers can be import servers.
The Replication service is not enabled by default.
Data placed in an export server’s export directory will be duplicated
(replicated) to all import servers’ import directories. NT’s default for the
export and import directories are:
\Winnt\System32\Repl\Export\ \Winnt\System32\Repl\Import\
The service performs whatever actions are necessary to ensure that the import
directory tree matches the export directory tree. For example, files deleted
from the export directory tree will be removed from the import directory. Only
subdirectories under the export directory will be replicated, not files in the
export directory itself, that is the Export root directory, \Winnt\System32\Repl\Export\.
A standard default standard directory in the replication root is named
“Scripts”. This is where logon scripts are placed. The NetLogon share points to
the \Import\Scripts directory. This makes defining user profiles easy by
allowing the general share name to proceed the script name, such as
“NETLOGON\wmaples.bat.”
To get replication working:
- Apply current SP
You should understand that the replication service for
NT was broken out of the box until SP3. I recommend SP6a or later.
- Create an account to run the replication service
The account must be
named repluser and it must be a member of the Replicator
group.
- Service parms
Set the Directory Replicator service under Control Panel,
setting the Directory Replicator service to startup type=Automatic, Logon
As=repluser.
- Server Manager
Open the Properties dialog box for the export or import
server (by double-clicking the computer name), and click the Replication button.
If the server is an export server, select the Export Directories radio button.
The default directory will appear in the From Path
field. If the server is an import server, select the Import Directories radio
button. The default directory will appear in the To
Path field. My experience strongly suggests leaving these defaults asis.
- Click Add under Export or Import, and select the computer to export to or
import from.
- Place scripts or other files in the Export directory.
- Reboot all export and import servers.
Keys that control windows nt domain controller directory
replication.
How often export server looks
for changes in replicator folders:
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Parameters
Type:
REG_DWORD
Name: Interval
Value: value
in minutes
min=1, Default=2, maximum=60
How long export folder must remain unmodified before
replication to import servers:
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Parameters
Type:
REG_DWORD
Name: GuardTime
Value: value
in minutes
min=0, Default=2, maximum= 1/2 value of Interval
Number of times import server repeats the change notice
after initial announcement:
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Parameters
Type:
REG_DWORD
Name: Pulse
Value: # of
times
Default=2 times. Max time import
servers wait before requesting an update:
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Parameters
Type:
REG_DWORD
Name: Random
Value: # of
seconds
Default=60 seconds, legal range 1 – 120 seconds.
Some gotcha!s:
Replication will halt if an application is accessing or viewing the export or
import directories. The Replication service can not know if files are being
changed. It is designed to wait until files and directories are inactive before
replicating.
Replication will only occur between computers with system clocks set within
59 minutes of each other. Lets say you set two servers to the correct time and
date. They may be side-by-side. Should you not have set the time zone, and they
have different time zones, then replication will fail because they will have
times set > 59 minutes difference. Everyone checks date/time on servers. Fair
number don’t check timezone setting.
Although Microsoft documentation stated that replication service was of
general utility, only use it for built in NT functionality. Don’t try to
replicate data or word processor files or such. It will clog your network. To
replicate those kinds of files, create scripts and use xcopy or scopy driven by
the scheduler.
Don’t get confused. Export to the import directory on your export server.
