In the simplest replication scenario, the master copy of directory data is held in a single read-write replica on one server called the supplier server. The supplier server also maintains changelog for this replica. On another server, called the consumer server, there can be multiple read-only replicas. Such scenarios are called single-master configurations. Figure 11.1, “Single-Master Replication” shows an example of single-master replication.

In this particular configuration, the ou=people,dc=example,dc=com suffix receives a large number of search requests. Therefore, to distribute the load, this tree, which is mastered on Server A, is replicated to two read-only replicas located on Server B and Server C.

For information on setting up a single-master replication environment, see Section 11.4, “Configuring Single-Master Replication”.

Directory Server also supports complex replication scenarios in which the same suffix (database) can be mastered on many servers. This suffix is held in a read-write replica on each server. This means that each server maintains a changelog for the read-write replica.

Multi-master replication in Directory Server supports as many as 20 masters, an unlimited number of hub suppliers, and an unlimited number of consumer servers. Each consumer server holds a read-only replica. The consumers can receive updates from any or all the suppliers. The consumers also have referrals defined for all the suppliers to forward any update requests that the consumers receive. Such scenarios are called multi-master configurations.

Figure 11.2, “Multi-Master Replication (Two Masters)” shows an example of multi-master replication scenario with two supplier servers and two consumer servers.

Figure 11.3, “Multi-Master Replication (Four Masters)” shows a sample of multi-master replication scenario with four supplier servers and eight consumer servers. In this sample setup, each supplier server is configured with ten replication agreements to feed data to two other supplier servers and all eight consumer servers. (The Directory Server can have as many as 20 masters in a multi-master setup.)

Multi-master configurations have the following advantages:

For the procedure to set up multi-master replication, see Section 11.5, “Configuring Multi-Master Replication”.

In a cascading replication scenario, one server, a hub, acts both as a consumer and a supplier. It holds a read-only replica and maintains a changelog, so it receives updates from the supplier server that holds the master copy of the data and, in turn, supplies those updates to the consumer. Cascading replication is very useful for balancing heavy traffic loads or to keep master servers based locally in geographically-distributed environments.

Figure 11.4, “Cascading Replication” shows an example of a simple cascading replication scenario, though it is possible to create more complex scenarios with several hub servers.

For information on setting up cascading replication, see Section 11.6, “Configuring Cascading Replication”.