Adding a Directory Server to an Existing Replicated Topology

When you add a directory server to an existing replicated topology, the new server must be populated with the same generation of data as the existing directory servers in the topology. The data generation is an ID stored within the root entry of the replication domain. When the data generation does not exist, it is computed by the replication mechanism and stored. To ensure that the new directory server has the same data generation as the other servers in the topology, use one of the following methods to populate the directory server with data:

• Use the same original LDIF file, backup file, or binary copy that was used to populate the other directory servers.

• Use the result of an export, backup, or binary copy from another directory server in the topology.

If you install the new directory server using QuickSetup and specify that it will be part of the replicated topology, the server is initialized with the correct data generation automatically.

If you do not install the directory server using QuickSetup, and you use the dsreplication command to enable replication, you must initialize the server manually using one of the methods described in the previous section.

Note - If a directory server in the topology does not contain the same data generation as the rest of the topology, data cannot be replicated to or from the server. However, the directory server remains connected to the topology, enabling it to be initialized using the replication protocol. Replication on this directory server is said to be downgraded.

When a directory server with the correct data generation is added to an existing topology, the replication mechanism automatically replays any changes that occurred since the first directory server in the topology was initialized with data. This action ensures that the new directory server is synchronized with the rest of the topology.