Changing Site Link Properties

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To control which sites replicate directly with each other and when, use the cost, schedule, and interval properties on the Site Link object.

These settings control intersite replication as follows:

• Schedule: The time during which replication can occur (the default setting allows replication at all times).

• Interval: The number of minutes between replication polling by intersite replication partners within the open schedule window (default is every 180 minutes).

• Cost: The relative priority of the link (default is 100). Lower relative cost increases the priority of the link over other higher-cost links.

Consult your design documentation for information about values to set for site link properties.

Task Requirements

The following tool is required to perform the procedures for this task:

• Active Directory Sites and Services

To complete this task, perform the following procedures:

1. Configure the site link schedule to identify times during which intersite replication can occur

2. Configure the site link interval to identify how often replication polling can occur during the schedule window

3. Configure the site link cost to establish a priority for replication routing

4. Generate the intersite topology by performing the following two procedures:

   • Determine the ISTG role owner for a site

   • Generate the replication topology on the ISTG