Issue description    

The DC Replication Status report in ADManager Plus is essential for monitoring the health and status of AD replication across domain controllers. This report helps administrators identify replication issues, detect inconsistencies, and ensure that changes in AD are synchronized properly across all domain controllers. It aids in proactive troubleshooting by highlighting failed replications, latency issues, and inaccessible domain controllers.

However, the report may sometimes fail to generate, making it difficult to monitor replication health and troubleshoot synchronization issues effectively.

Possible causes   

1. Replication latency: Domain controllers have not replicated changes within the expected timeframe.

2. Network issues: Connectivity problems between domain controllers may cause replication failures.

3. Event log access issues: ADManager Plus may lack the necessary permissions to fetch logs.

4. Time synchronization problems: Time differences across domain controllers can cause inconsistencies.

5. Corrupt AD database: Issues with the NTDS database may lead to replication errors.

Prerequisites   

Before troubleshooting, ensure:

• ADManager Plus has admin privileges to fetch event logs from domain controllers.

• Stable network connectivity exists between ADManager Plus and domain controllers.

• Windows Event Logs on domain controllers are enabled and accessible.

• System time across all domain controllers is synchronized.

Resolution  

Step 1: Verify DC replication health  

1. Run the following command on a domain controller to check the replication status:

• repadmin /replsummary

2. Identify any failed or delayed replication attempts.

Step 2: Check event logs for replication errors  

1. Open Event Viewer in the domain controller.

2. Navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Directory Service.

3. Look for Event ID 4662, 2042, 2089, or 1311, which indicate replication issues.

Step 3: Validate network connectivity  

1. Test connectivity between domain controllers:

• ping <DomainControllerName>

• telnet <DomainControllerName> 389  # (for LDAP communication)

2. If connectivity issues exist, check the firewall rules and network configurations.

Step 4: Ensure time synchronization  

1. Run the following command to sync time across all domain controllers:

• w32tm /resync

2. If time drift is detected, configure NTP settings on all domain controllers.

Step 5: Verify and reset ADManager Plus permissions  

1. Ensure the ADManager Plus service account has read access to event logs.

2. Run the following command on the affected domain controller:

• gpupdate /force

3. Restart the ADManager Plus service and retry fetching the DC replication report.

Tips  

• Run repadmin /replsummary to check replication status and failures.

• Monitor Event Viewer > Directory Service for Event ID 2042 or 1311.

• 2042: Replication failed because the domain controller was offline beyond the tombstone lifetime (default: 180 days). The DC cannot replicate and may contain lingering objects.

• 1311: AD cannot find a replication path between domain controllers due to missing site links, misconfigurations, or network issues.

• Use ping <DC> and telnet <DC> 389 to verify network connectivity.

• Run w32tm /resync to sync time across DCs.

• Use gpupdate /force and restart ADManager Plus to apply policy updates.

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