KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q148381: XADM: Directory Replication Takes Too Long

Article: Q148381
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv exc4 exc5 exc55
Last Modified: 21-JUL-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

This article explains why, depending on the Directory Replication topology, the
time required to replicate directory changes to all parts of a Microsoft
Exchange Organization may be several days.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Consider the following two Directory Replication topologies.

Topology A: Hub

Site X  <------->  Site W   <------> Site Z
                     ^
                     |
                     |
                     V
                   Site Y

Topology B: Cascade

Site W  <----> Site X  <---> Site Y  <-----> Site Z

In each of the above topologies, the arrows indicate a directory replication
connector. Assume that each connector is scheduled to replicate at one time
during the day.

In Topology A, if a new mailbox is added to Site X, the maximum delay for that
directory entry to be propagated to all the other Sites would be 2 days (one day
for each directory replication connector hop).

In Topology B, if a new mailbox was added to Site W, the maximum delay for that
directory entry to reach all the other sites (specifically Site Z) would be 3
days.

Hence, the time required to propagate directory changes to all sites in an
Exchange Organization depends on the replication schedule as well as the number
of hops involved and the number of hops depends on the Directory Replication
Topology.

Additional query words: faq

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv exc4 exc5 exc55 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Issue type        : kbinfo

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.