Configuring Directory Replication (NT Server 4.0)

 Directory Replication involves transferring files and folders in the  netlogon folder of one server (Primary Domain Controller -PDC) to the netlogon folder of   another server (Backup Domain Controller - BDC) or vise versa if installing mysaNiTy on a BDC. This configuration is not necessary on a 2000 server, as file replication between servers is automatic. However, if you have an NT4 BDC connected to a 2000 server, you will have to to copy changes in scripts manually , as the replication services are not designed to work together.

 1.  Launch User Manager for Domains to create an account to be used by the replication service

  a) Start->Programs->Administrative Tools (Common)->User Manager for Domains

 b) Select User->New User

 c) Enter a user name such as    repaccount

 d) Enter a password.  (Note: This user name and password it will be needed later to configure the service.)

 f) Deselect User Must change Password at Next Logon

 g) Deselect User Cannot Change Password

 h) Select Password Never Expires

e) Click Groups - Make this account a member of Domain Users, Backup Operators, and Replicator groups

 i) DO NOT define a user profile or logon script

 j) Allow all hours for logon

2. Replicator Group must have the right to logon as a service

  a) In the User Manager for Domains, choose Policies->User Rights

 b) Select Show Advanced User Rights checkbox

 c) Select Logon as a Service  and click the Add button

 d) Scroll down to Replicator group, select it, and click the ADD button

 e) Click OK

 f) Close User Manager for Domains

 3. Configuring the Replication Service

  a) Start->Programs->Administrative Tools(Common)->Server Manager

 b) Select the current PDC server from the list of computers (or BDC if mysaNiTy installed on BDC)

 c) Click Computer on the menu bar and select Services

 d) Select the Directory Replicator service and choose Startup

 e) Specify Start Type as Automatic

 f) On the same dialog box under Log On As: select This Account and add the user name of the replicator account created in Section 1 above and the password for this user account.

 g) Click OK to close the dialog box and OK to the message

 h) Directory Replicator should now show Automatic as startup option  and Status should be blank.

4. Setting up Master Directory Replication on Server

  a) Start->Programs->Administrative Tools(Common)->Server Manager

 b) Double click the export server computer (PDC normally)

 c) Click the Replication Button to open Directory Replication

 d) Select Export Directories

 e) You will need to change the  From Path:  C:\WINNT\System32\Repl\export  to

      C:\WINNT\System32\Repl\import  (this will export all the script files generated by mysaNiTy in the Netlogon folder of this server)

 f) Click Manage and make sure the scripts appears under SubDirectory,  Locks=0 , Stablize=No, SubTree=Yes, Wait Until Stabilized=unchecked  and Entire SubTree=checked

 g) Click OK to close Manage Export Directories dialog

 h) Select the Add button under the To List:

 i) Add the name of the server you will be exporting to, you can browse and select the server you will be exporting to, and add this server name to the To List: under Export Directories.

 j) Click Ok to close the Directory Replication window.

 Import Server Setup( see Configuring the Replication Service)

 1. Starting and Configuring the Replication Service(

  a) Start->Programs->Administrative Tools(Common)->Server Manager

 b) Select the current BDC server from the list of computers

 c) Click Computer on the menu bar and select Services.

 d) Select the Directory Replicator service and choose Startup.

 e) Specify Start Type as Automatic.

 f) On the same dialog box under Log On As: select This Account and add the user name of the replicator account created in Section 1 above and the password for this user account

 g) Click OK to close the dialog box and OK to the message

 h) Directory Replicator should now show Automatic as startup option and Status should be blank. Do not start the service yet.

 2. Setting up Master Directory Replication on Server

  a) Start->Programs->Administrative Tools(Common)->Server Manager

 b) Double Click the import server computer (BDC normally)

 c) Click the Replication Button to open Directory Replication

 d) Select Import Directories

 e) Check the import path  C:\WINNT\System32\Repl\Import

 h) Select the Add button under Import Directories To List:

 i) Add the name of the server you will be importing from,  normally the PDC, you can browse and select the server from which you will be importing from, and Add this server name to the To List: under Import Directories.

 j) Click Ok to close the Directory Replication window

3. Starting the Replicator Service on the PDC and BDC

  a) Start->Programs->Administrative Tools(Common)->Server Manager

 b) Select the PDC server from the list of computers

 c) Click Computer on the menu bar and select Services.

 d) Select the Directory Replicator service and choose Start

 e) This message should appear.

 f) Status should now show Started

 g) Repeat for the BDC.

 Note: Replication sometimes takes up to two minutes when files are added or changed in the netlogon folder of the export server. Changes mysaNiTy  to logon scripts may take up to two minutes before replicated to the import computer. This time can be altered by editing the registry.