Can I restore Active Directory partitions?
You can restore active directory partitions. However, while restoring the objects and attributes within a Schema partition, keep in mind the restrictions on the schema extension. For more information about restrictions on the schema extensions, refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms677924(v=vs.85).aspx.
How to restore back-links for authoritatively restored objects?
If you have authoritatively restored objects that have back-links in another domain, you need to create LDAP Data Interchange Format (LDIF) file and then run the LDIF file on any domain controller in the same domain. Do not run the LDIF file on the same domain controller where you created the file. For more information on how to create and run the LDIF file, refer to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc778643(WS.10).aspx.
What permissions are required for performing backup and restore?
The administrator should have Schema Admin permissions and Domain Administrator Group permissions. For more information, see Review User Permissions.
Why is my database backup size larger than the original database?
When Active Directory backs up the .dit database, every attribute is indexed so that the objects can be restored in the correct order when a restore is performed. This increases the backup size.