# Non-auto replication connection count should be investigated

Non-auto-generated (manual) replication connections bypass the Knowledge Consistency Checker (KCC) automatic topology generation.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-REPL-02

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<div class="test-byline"><div class="test-byline-avatars"><a class="test-byline-avatar test-byline-avatar--author" href="/contributors/soulemike" title="Michael Soule · Original author"><img src="https://github.com/soulemike.png" alt="Michael Soule" width="28" height="28" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /></a></div><div class="test-byline-meta"><span class="test-byline-text">Contributed by <a href="/contributors/soulemike">Michael Soule</a></span><a class="test-byline-link" href="/contributors">All contributors →</a></div></div>

<p class="test-part">Part of <a href="/docs/tests/ad">Active Directory</a> · Active Directory · Replication · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-REPL-02
```

## Overview

Non-auto-generated (manual) replication connections bypass the Knowledge Consistency Checker (KCC) automatic topology generation. While sometimes necessary for specific scenarios, manual connections require careful management:

- **Topology Bypass**: Manual connections don't benefit from automatic optimization and failover
- **Documentation Gap**: Manual connections may lack proper documentation of their business purpose
- **Operational Debt**: Accumulated manual connections from past troubleshooting may no longer be needed
- **Security Risk**: Undocumented connections may hide unauthorized replication paths

#### Control Type

**Operational**

#### Security Recommendation

- Prefer auto-generated connections for standard replication topology
- Document all manual connections with business justification
- Regularly audit manual connections to ensure they are still required
- Remove manual connections that are no longer needed
- Use manual connections only for specific scenarios like site bridging

#### How the Test Works

This test retrieves all Active Directory replication connections and identifies:
- Auto-generated vs. manual connections
- Count and percentage of manual connections
- Total replication connection count

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdDisabledReplicationConnectionCount` - Identifies disabled replication connections

## Details

<details>
<summary>Every attribute of this check</summary>

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-REPL-02 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Replication |
| Area | Infrastructure hardening |
| Resource type | DomainController |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdNonAutoReplicationConnectionCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-REPL-02.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:nTDSConnection:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-REPL-02.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-REPL-02.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-REPL-02.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-REPL-02.md)