To Initialize a Replicated Suffix From LDIF

This procedure outlines the general steps to use to initialize a replicated suffix from an LDIF file.

You can use DSCC to perform this task. For information, see Directory Service Control Center Interface and the DSCC online help.

Online initialization of a replicated suffix by using DSCC is an easy way to initialize or reinitialize a consumer. However, if you are initializing a large number of entries, this process can be time consuming. In this case, you might find offline consumer initialization with the command line more efficient.

1. Ensure that you have set up replication agreements.

   You must do this before you initialize replicas.

2. Export the original copy of the suffix data from a master replicated suffix to an LDIF file.

   See To Export a Replicated Suffix to LDIF.

   In a multimaster replication environment, you can use the LDIF file exported from the original master to initialize both the other masters and any consumers. In a cascading replication environment, you can use the same file to initialize both the hub replicas and their consumers.

   In all cases, you must start with an LDIF file that has been exported from a configured master replica. You cannot use an arbitrary LDIF file to initialize all replicas because it does not contain replication metadata.

3. If you are initializing a fractional replica, filter the file to keep only the replicated attributes, then transfer that file to all of the consumer servers.

   See Filtering an LDIF File for Fractional Replication.

4. Initialize your replica.

   Do one of the following:

   • For fast initialization on a server that is offline (stopped), use the dsadm import command.

     $ dsadm import instance-path LDIF_file suffix-DN

   • To initialize a replica online from an LDIF file, use the dsconf import command.

     $ dsconf import -h host -p port LDIF_file suffix-DN

     Using dsconf import is slower than using dsadm import, but you do not need to stop your server while performing the import operation.

   For more detailed information about initializing suffixes, and for examples, see Initializing a Suffix. For detailed command usage, see dsadm(1M) and dsconf(1M).

5. (Optional) For each agreement, check that the suffix appears as initialized.

   $ dsconf show-repl-agmt-status -h host -p port suffix-DN destination-host:destination-port