Transparent resource administration using a read-only domain controller

A domain controller hierarchy in accordance with implementations of the present invention involves one or more local domain controllers, such as one or more read-only local domain controllers in communication with one or more writable hub domain controllers. The local domain controllers includes a resource manager, such as a Security Account Manager ("SAM"), that manages resources and/or other accounts information received from the writable hub domain controller. When a local user attempts to change the resource at the local domain controller, however, the resource manager chains the request, along with any appropriate identifiers for the request, to the writable hub domain controller, where the request is processed. If appropriate, the hub domain controller sends a response that the resource has been updated as requested and also sends a copy of the updated resource to be cached at the local domain controller.