Network Solution for Windows – Windows system, Linux system, Ubuntu server configuration tip

The Infrastructure Master (IM) is a domain-wide FSMO (Flexible Single Master of Operations) role responsible for an unattended process that “fixes-up” stale references, known as phantoms, within the Active Directory database or DIT (Directory Information Table). Phantoms are created on Domain Controllers (DCs) that require a database cross-reference between an object within their own database and an object from another domain within the forest. This occurs, for example, when you add a user from one domain to a group within another domain in the same forest.

Each DC is individually responsible for creating its own phantoms with the notable exception of Global Catalogs (GCs). Since GCs store a partial copy of all objects within the forest, they are able to create cross-domain references without the need for such phantoms. Phantoms are deemed stale when they no longer contain up-to-date data, which occurs because of changes that have been made to the foreign object the phantom represents, e.g., when the target object is renamed, moved, migrated between domains or deleted. The IM is exclusively responsible for locating and fixing stale phantoms. Any changes introduced as a result of the “fix-up” process must then be replicated to all remaining DCs within the domain.

Note: The Infrastructure Master does not perform the “fix-up” role within a single domain forest since phantoms are unnecessary.