Directory Server supports replication, enabling a variety of configurations that provide redundancy and efficiency. Enabling replication of all or part of the DIT from one host to other hosts provides the following configuration capabilities:
The directory information is more accessible, because it is replicated on multiple servers rather than on a single server.
The directory information can be cached on a local directory server, reducing effort of accessing the information from a remote directory server. Caching the directory information enhances performance, especially in deployments with limited network bandwidth to the central directory.
Depending on the actual configuration, multiple directory servers can process mail client requests faster than a single centralized server.
For more information on directory replication, directory performance tuning, and DIT structure and design, see the Sun Java System Directory Server documentation: