Trying out DFS - how to combine all physical file servers to one?

[Newbie]

If I understand correctly, I can use DFS to mush all physical file servers
together and assign one virtual name such as:

\\fileserver\user

instead of:

\\fs1\user
\\fs2\user
\\fs3\user

I'm testing it in VM but can't seem to figure out a way to make it happen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[NickT]

If you have three shares, then you are going to have 3 DFS leaves or end
points.

So the 3 shares you have listed below are on 3 separate servers, DFS can
combine them into a single logical view such as:

\\fileserver\dfs-root\UsersData\User1 Which points to \\fs1\user
\\fileserver\dfs-root\UsersData\User2 Which points to \\fs2\user
\\fileserver\dfs-root\UsersData\User3 Which points to \\fs3\user

So to the end user they will see a folder called UsersData, and 3 folders in
there, each of which is actually the 3 separate shares.

\\FileServer\
--- DFS-ROOT\
--------UsersData\
------------User1
------------User2
------------User3

Then if you move any of these shares, all you do is change the DFS pointer,
the user never knows where the date is, or cares.. Just that they can get
to it.


-- Nick

------------------------------------------------------------------
Networking tools -> http://www.infinites.com

Post by Newbie
If I understand correctly, I can use DFS to mush all physical file servers
\\fileserver\user
\\fs1\user
\\fs2\user
\\fs3\user
I'm testing it in VM but can't seem to figure out a way to make it happen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[DaveMills]

You can achieve

\\fileserver\user1
\\fileserver\user2
\\fileserver\user3

where "fileserver" is a DFS path that may be something like
\\domain\dfsroot\all_user_folders

instead of

\\fs1\user1
\\fs2\user2
\\fs3\user3

but you cannot combine the content of shares from several servers into a single
apparent share.

A typical use would be to have \\domain\dfsroot\All_Data
the within the All_Data folder created DFS links that point to data folders on
various servers such as Engineering or Accounts. The data is actually stored on
the department servers but is accessed via an apparent domain wide share.

Post by Newbie
If I understand correctly, I can use DFS to mush all physical file servers
\\fileserver\user
\\fs1\user
\\fs2\user
\\fs3\user
I'm testing it in VM but can't seem to figure out a way to make it happen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Newbie]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply, I tried this before I saw your reply but it didn't
work as expected (now I know why):

from DFS MMC, I added a new folder called User. In User folder, I added the
following Folder Targets:

\\fs1\user1
\\fs2\user2
\\fs3\user3

From different desktops, I see different results. One would show the
contents of "user1", others would show "user2" and one shows path not found.

Based on your reply, I need to add different folders such as "User1",
"User2" "User3" in DFS and assign the actual path to the server in each
folder defined.

Thanks

Post by DaveMills
You can achieve
\\fileserver\user1
\\fileserver\user2
\\fileserver\user3
where "fileserver" is a DFS path that may be something like
\\domain\dfsroot\all_user_folders
instead of
\\fs1\user1
\\fs2\user2
\\fs3\user3
but you cannot combine the content of shares from several servers into a single
apparent share.
A typical use would be to have \\domain\dfsroot\All_Data
the within the All_Data folder created DFS links that point to data folders on
various servers such as Engineering or Accounts. The data is actually stored on
the department servers but is accessed via an apparent domain wide share.

Post by Newbie
If I understand correctly, I can use DFS to mush all physical file servers
\\fileserver\user
\\fs1\user
\\fs2\user
\\fs3\user
I'm testing it in VM but can't seem to figure out a way to make it happen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

--
Dave Mills
There are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.

[DaveMills]

Post by Newbie
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your reply, I tried this before I saw your reply but it didn't
from DFS MMC, I added a new folder called User. In User folder, I added the
\\fs1\user1
\\fs2\user2
\\fs3\user3
From different desktops, I see different results. One would show the
contents of "user1", others would show "user2" and one shows path not found.
Based on your reply, I need to add different folders such as "User1",
"User2" "User3" in DFS and assign the actual path to the server in each
folder defined.
Thanks

Yep. I am in a school so I have
\\domain\dfsroot\Home\Staff --> \\server\Staff$
\\domain\dfsroot\Home\Year08--> \\server\Year08$
\\domain\dfsroot\Home\Year07--> \\server\Year07$

The destination Year/Staff server may be a different server for each collection
of home folders and DFS hides this fact. I can move a year group to a new server
at any time and just change the DFS redirection. No users need know about the
change.

Post by Newbie

Post by DaveMills
You can achieve
\\fileserver\user1
\\fileserver\user2
\\fileserver\user3
where "fileserver" is a DFS path that may be something like
\\domain\dfsroot\all_user_folders
instead of
\\fs1\user1
\\fs2\user2
\\fs3\user3
but you cannot combine the content of shares from several servers into a single
apparent share.
A typical use would be to have \\domain\dfsroot\All_Data
the within the All_Data folder created DFS links that point to data folders on
various servers such as Engineering or Accounts. The data is actually stored on
the department servers but is accessed via an apparent domain wide share.

Post by Newbie
If I understand correctly, I can use DFS to mush all physical file servers
\\fileserver\user
\\fs1\user
\\fs2\user
\\fs3\user
I'm testing it in VM but can't seem to figure out a way to make it happen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

--
Dave Mills
There are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.