Enterprise directory service domain controller replication alert and repair

1. A method for monitoring replication of domain controllers and correcting problems with replication within a directory service environment, the method comprising:

querying the directory service for replication information;

determining whether an error exists based upon the replication information;

correcting the error if an error exists; and

visually displaying information regarding the progress of the domain controller replication process, wherein the information includes the identity of domain controller replication partners and the status of the replication process between any two domain controller replication partners.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein correcting the error if an error exists comprises:

consulting a knowledge base to determine whether an entry for an error type associated with the error exists in the knowledge base, wherein the knowledge base contains entries for error types and associated corrective actions; and

taking corrective actions identified by the knowledge base as associated with the error type if the error type is found in the knowledge base.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising:

prior to taking corrective action, determining whether the corrective action is authorized under conditions as currently exist in the director service environment.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

paging support personnel if it is determined that the corrective action has failed to resolve the error.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , further comprising:

logging information regarding the nature of the error, failed corrective action taken, and personnel paged.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of visually displaying information regarding the progress of the domain controller replication process comprises graphical indicia of relationships between domain controller partners.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the indicia comprises a line.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the nature of the progress and severity of any errors related to the replication process between domain controller replication partners is indicated by color wherein different colors represent different levels of errors and lack of errors.

9. A computer program product in a computer readable media for use in a data processing system for monitoring replication of domain controllers and correcting problems with replication within a directory service environment, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions for querying the directory service for replication information;

second instruction for determining whether an error exists based upon the replication information;

third instructions for correcting the error if an error exists; and

fourth instructions for visually displaying information regarding the progress of the domain controller replication process, wherein the information includes the identity of domain controller replication partners and the status of the replication process between any two domain controller replication partners.

10. The computer program product as recited in claim 9 , wherein correcting the error if an error exists comprises:

fifth instructions for consulting a knowledge base to determine whether an entry for an error type associated with the error exists in the knowledge base, wherein the knowledge base contains entries for error types and associated corrective actions; and

sixth instructions for raking corrective actions identified by the knowledge base as associated with the error type if the error type is found in the knowledge base.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 10 , further comprising:

seventh instructions for determining whether the corrective action is authorized under conditions as currently exist in the director service environment prior to taking corrective action.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 9 , further comprising:

fifth instructions for paging support personnel if it is determined that the corrective action has failed to resolve the error.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 12 , further comprising:

sixth instructions for logging information regarding the nature of the error, failed corrective action taken, and personnel paged.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 9 , wherein the fourth instructions for visually displaying information regarding the progress of the domain controller replication process comprises graphical indicia of relationships between domain controller partners.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 14 , wherein the indicia comprises a line.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 15 , wherein the nature of the progress and severity of any errors related to the replication process between domain controller replication partners is indicated by color wherein different colors represent different levels of errors and lack of errors.

17. A system for monitoring replication of domain controllers and correcting problems with replication within a directory service environment, the system comprising:

first means for querying the directory service for replication information;

second means instruction for determining whether an error exists based upon the replication information;

third means for correcting the error if an error exists; and

fourth means for visually displaying information regarding the progress of the domain controller replication process, wherein the information includes the identity of domain controller replication partners and the status of the replication process between any two domain controller replication partners.

18. The system as recited in claim 17 , wherein correcting the error if an error exists comprises:

fifth means for consulting a knowledge base to determine whether an entry for an error type associated with the error exists in the knowledge base, wherein the knowledge base contains entries for error types and associated corrective actions; and

sixth means for taking corrective actions identified by the knowledge base as associated with the error type if the error type is found in the knowledge base.

19. The system as recited in claim 18 , further comprising:

seventh means for determining whether the corrective action is authorized under conditions as currently exist in the director service environment prior to taking corrective action.

20. The system as recited in claim 17 , further comprising:

fifth means for paging support personnel if it is determined that the corrective action has failed to resolve the error.

21. The system as recited in claim 20 , further comprising:

sixth means for logging information regarding the nature of the error, failed corrective action taken, and personnel paged.

22. The system as recited in claim 17 , wherein the fourth means for visually displaying information regarding the progress of the domain controller replication process comprises graphical indicia of relationships between domain controller partners.

23. The system as recited in claim 22 , wherein the indicia comprises a line.

24. The system as recited in claim 23 , wherein the nature of the progress and severity of any errors related to the replication process between domain controller replication partners is indicated by color wherein different colors represent different levels of errors and lack of errors.