Tech Tips / Windows NT / Timekeeping and Synchronization
Many NT networks have multiple Backup Domain Controllers (BDCs). In fact, Microsoft recommends one BDC for every 2,000 users and, depending on your network configuration, you may have more. So let's look at a common scenario. Say you have BDCs located in branch offices all over the country, but you need to make immediate changes to user accounts in just one location, and you can't wait for normal synchronization before your changes take effect. Is there a way to have a synchronization occur between just that BDC in that branch office and the Primary Domain Controller (PDC)? So glad you asked!
You must be at the BDC you want to synchronize. At a command line enter net accounts/sync. This command will sync only that BDC with the PDC. Any other BDCs will get the updates during the normal synchronization process. One important note here: The command-line synchronization command does a full synchronization, not just a synchronization of the changes. Only through the Synchronization menu in Server Manager can you do a changes-only synchronization. However, when you use the Server Manager choice, all BDCs will sync with the PDC.
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