112 Novell eDirectory 8.8 Administration Guidenovdocx (en) 11 July 2008Synchronization MethodNormally, eDirectory automatically chooses the method based on the number of replicas andreplication partners. The following are the synchronization methods: By Partition: The modifications to data are synchronized simultaneously with otherreplicas.Several threads are used to synchronize the modifications. For example, D1, D2, andD3 are modifications to data on replica R1, and these have to be synchronized across replicasR2 and R3, D1, D2, and D3 are simultaneously synchronized with R2 and R3. By Server: Modifications to data are synchronized sequentially. Only one thread is used tosync the modifications. For example, D1, D2, and D3 are modifications to data on replica R1.These have to be synchronized across replicas R2 and R3, D1 is first synchronized with R2 andR3. Then D2 is synchronized with R2 and R3. By Dynamic Adjust: Based on the system resources you have allotted, eDirectoryautomatically chooses the synchronization method.Using iMonitor, you can specify the method of synchronization using Agent Configuration underAgent Synchronization. For more information, refer to “Controlling and Configuring the DS Agent”on page 208.3.4.3 Priority SyncPriority Sync is one of the two synchronization processes in eDirectory. In eDirectory 8.8 and later,you can use priority sync when you need to sync your critical data immediately and cannot wait fornormal synchronization.Priority sync is complimentary to the normal synchronization process in eDirectory. Unlike normalsynchronization, in priority sync, the changes are not buffered before synchronizing them across theservers. This makes priority sync faster than normal synchronization.Priority sync is enabled by default. Refer to “Enabling and Disabling Inbound and OutboundPriority Sync” on page 113 for more information.To sync the modifications to the critical data through priority sync:1 Specify the number of threads for priority sync.See “Priority Sync Threads” on page 113 for more information.2 Specify the priority sync queue size.See “Priority Sync Queue Size” on page 113 for more information.3 Create and define a priority sync policy by identifying the critical attributes that you want tosync as priority.See “Creating and Defining a Priority Sync Policy” on page 115 for more information.4 Apply the priority sync policy to one or more partitions.See “Applying a Priority Sync Policy” on page 117 for more information.The priority sync process is to sync only the modifications to the critical attributes. Priority syncmaintains the object transaction model. So, if noncritical data is modified and is not yetsynchronized, and if the critical data is changed for the same entry, the noncritical data along withcritical data is synchronized.