Question on AD replication (Bridgehead servers)

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Shambler

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Link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755994(v=ws.10).aspx

Specific part of said article: "One domain controller in each site is selected as the Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG). To enable replication across site links, the ISTG automatically designates one or more servers to perform site-to-site replication. These servers are called bridgehead servers. A bridgehead is a point where a connection leaves or enters a site."


The servers designated to perform Site to Site Replication (Bridgehead servers): Are they just any available server in that site? Or do they have to be DC's?
 
Shambler said:
Link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755994(v=ws.10).aspx

Specific part of said article: "One domain controller in each site is selected as the Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG). To enable replication across site links, the ISTG automatically designates one or more servers to perform site-to-site replication. These servers are called bridgehead servers. A bridgehead is a point where a connection leaves or enters a site."


The servers designated to perform Site to Site Replication (Bridgehead servers): Are they just any available server in that site? Or do they have to be DC's?
Click to expand...

Replication can be on any active directory server. It does not need to be the "primary" domain controller. (Primary isn't an accurate term, but it doesn't have to be the one responsbile for most or the FSMO roles. It doesn't have to be a DNS server, etc.)
 
Okay cool. So if the ISTG sets Servers 4 and 5 as bridgehead servers, but you would really rather have Servers 5 and 6, is that easily changed?
 
You can set preferred bridgeheads, but it's not a best practice. It's prone to error and can cause other issues (ie, you have two domains in a site but only set preferred BHs from one of the domains).

My best advice is to let the KCC and ISTG do their thing unless you've got a really good reason to change it.
 
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