!!! Overview
An internal cross-reference is an object that is created by the [Microsoft Active Directory] system. 

For every directory partition in a forest, there is an internal cross-reference object in the Partitions container:
{{{
cn=Partitions,cn=Configuration,dc= ForestRootDomain
}}}

When you create a new forest, the Active Directory Installation Wizard creates three directory partitions: 
* the first [domain directory partition] 
* the [configuration directory partition]  
* and the [schema directory partition]

For each of these partitions, a cross-reference object and therefore a [LDAP Referral] is created automatically. 

!! New [AD DOMAIN]
Thereafter, when a new [AD DOMAIN] is created in the [AD Forest], another [domain directory partition] is created and the respective cross-reference object is created which creates another [LDAP Referral].

Because these cross-reference objects are located in the [configuration directory partition], they are replicated to every [Domain Controller] in the forest, and thus every [Domain Controller] has knowledge of the name of every partition in the forest (as well as their superior and subordinate relationships to each other). 

By virtue of this knowledge, any [Domain Controller] can generate [LDAP Referrals] to any other [AD DOMAIN] in the forest, as well as to the [schema directory partition] and [configuration directory partition].

!! More Information
There might be more information for this subject on one of the following:
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