The benefits of a child domain:

• The Child Domain Usage Requirements will be enforced in a consistent manner. For Windows 2000 domains, Active Directory replication across domains and two-way, transitive trusts provide functionality while also increasing their interdependence. The Child Domain Usage Requirements are in place to safeguard you against irregular domain administration via Active Directory.
• If your users require access to resources protected by a Hokies account, such as Banner develop instances, they must be in a domain with a Hokies trust relationship. You will need to join Virginia Tech's Active Directory directory service as a child domain to establish a two-way, transitive trust because trusts will not be built with other AD root domains.
• Participation in the Active Directory directory service at Virginia Tech. You wouldn't be able to access the directory's items or information if you didn't participate. Because of the cost of duplicating traffic across the network and Microsoft's advice, trusts will not be built with other trees or forests.

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