# Root DSE should be synchronized

The Root DSE (Directory Service Agent) synchronization status indicates whether a domain controller has completed its initial replication with replication…

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-ROOTDSE-03

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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-ROOTDSE-03
```

## Overview

The Root DSE (Directory Service Agent) synchronization status indicates whether a domain controller has completed its initial replication with replication partners:

- **Directory Consistency**: Unsynchronized DCs may have stale data
- **Authentication Reliability**: Users may experience authentication failures
- **Replication Health**: Indicates overall replication topology health
- **Operational Readiness**: New or recovered DCs need to complete sync before serving clients

A synchronized status (isSynchronized = TRUE) indicates the DC is ready to serve directory requests with current data.

#### Control Type

**Detective**

#### Security Recommendation

- Monitor synchronization status after DC promotion or recovery
- Investigate DCs that remain unsynchronized for extended periods
- Ensure all DCs complete initial synchronization before production use
- Include synchronization status in regular health checks
- Alert on unexpected synchronization failures

#### How the Test Works

This test checks the Root DSE isSynchronized attribute and reports:
- Synchronization status (Yes/No)
- Server DNS name
- Domain, forest, and DC functionality levels

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdDisabledReplicationConnectionCount` - Checks for disabled replication connections
- `Test-MtAdNonAutoReplicationConnectionCount` - Identifies manual replication connections

## Details

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

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-ROOTDSE-03 |
| Severity | Low |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Replication |
| Area | Infrastructure hardening |
| Resource type | DomainController |
| User impact | Low |
| Implementation cost | Medium |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdRootDseSynchronizedStatus](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-03.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:domainDNS:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-03.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-03.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-03.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-03.md)