Troubleshooting AD communication problems

[mikesingleton]

What would be an excellent method of monitoring and tracking AD communications between servers??
Presently our main File Server is acting as our main DC. The server has the primary role of Global Catalog, Schema master for forest and Domain Naming FSMO for forest, Operations Master for domain, PDC emulator, RID Master, Infrastructure Master, DNS, WINS, DHCP, etc.

 

[RussN]

I think your looking for REPLMON. You can type it in the run box.

 

[mcse924]

You need to install Support Tools from the SERVER cd in order to be able to use REPLMON, or Replication Monitor. Also, try DCDIAG and GPOTOOL, found on Resource Kits or Support Tool. Excellent for reporting on the state of AD.

Make sure FRS and SYSVOL are running and in a healthy state. Know that there is a difference between SYSVOL replication (FRS manages this) and AD replication (Managed and configured by AD Sites and Services, this is what REPLMON monitors).

If I were you, I'd make another box a DC. A single DC should not hold ALL your FSMO roles. Also, a Global Catalog server should not hold the Infrastructure role. It's just basic fault tolerance. Good luck...

Carpe diem, procrastination is the thief of time...

 

[mlichstein]

repadmin is a commmand line utility that comes with the support tools that is all you need to troubleshoot replication.

'repadmin /showreps' is probably the most frequently used command.