Setting up DFS-FRS (newbie)

[mikeindo]

I want to set up file/folder replication between two W2k3 servers on the same
LAN. I've created my DFS root and link on the 'main' server, and set up DFS
root target on the 'secondary' server. (Anything else needed?) Apparently,
I should see 'Replication' as a choice under the Actiion menu with the root
selected, but I don't. Why?

[Jill Zoeller [MSFT]]

Not sure why it isn't showing up, but ideally you will set up a link with
two link targets and enable replication on the link, not the root. DFS takes
care of ensuring that the namespace configuration (not user data) is
consistent on both root targets. Having multiple root targets ensures
namespace availability so that the namespace is still available even if one
of the root servers dies.

We recommend AGAINST replicating DFS roots for a number of reasons that are
described here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/dfsfaq.mspx

The question you want is "Q. If I use multiple root targets in a
domain-based DFS namespace, do I need to enable replication on the root?"

Hope this helps!
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Post by mikeindo
I want to set up file/folder replication between two W2k3 servers on the same
LAN. I've created my DFS root and link on the 'main' server, and set up DFS
root target on the 'secondary' server. (Anything else needed?)
Apparently,
I should see 'Replication' as a choice under the Actiion menu with the root
selected, but I don't. Why?

[mikeindo]

Well, I'm not sure that is my question. From your description, it rather
sounds like I'd be fine with just replicating between 2 link targets.
Specifically what I want to replicate is a folder called Users$, which
contains user's home folders. Even so, the Replication option is not showing
up - maybe I've not enabled something? Or set up something on the secondary
server? Also, what if I have another folder I want replicated? Is that just
set up as another link (with 2 link targets)?

[Paul Williams [MVP]]

Sounds like you've created a stand alone root and not a domain root. Is
this the case?

Replication is only available with domain-based roots. Unless you
investigate DFSR in R2.

Also, what if I have another folder I want replicated? Is that just set
up as another link (with 2 link targets)?

Yes. You setup the link and the link targets and then configure
replication.

[mikeindo]

No, I'm setting 'Domain-based Root.' Let me just start over. I have two
servers, SERVER1 and SERVER2 and have a test folder on each called
DFS-SERVER1 and DFS-SERVER2, respectively. Please keep in mind, all I want
to do is set this up for data redundancy - so that after replication, the
contents of the Users$ folder are the same on both servers.

First off, let me say that in my previous tests, I'd created test folders to
use, but now can’t seem to remove the DFS-created subfolders. There's an
error about it saying DO_NOT_DELETE_NtFrs_Preinstall_Directory is in use and
cannot be deleted, even though the subfolder contains nothing (viewing hidden
items too). So I'll continue to use SERVER1-DFS and SERVER2-DFS, but use new
subfolders. Make sense? Hope so.

1) Starting at SERVER1, I start the DFS wizard and select Domain-based Root
and enter SERVER1 in the server name prompt. Enter “DFS-SERVER1” as root
name, so UNC path is \\[domainname]\DFS-SERVER1. Next I select the
DFS-SERVER1 folder to share and Finish.
2) Then I set to create a new link off the DFS root and name the link
“dfstest”. Below that it wants a path to the target of the shared folder.
Which shared folder? My DFS-SERVER1? Or a subfolder within DFS-SERVER1? I
picked just DFS-SERVER1.
3) So now I have a link. Now what? It also seems I have a new folder under
DFS-SERVER1 named dfstest. But that’s not the folder I want replicated; I
want DFS-SERVER1 to be.

Do I now choose another target (SERVER2) for the link? If so, I added the
shared folder DFS-SERVER2 and then magically had the Configure Replication
choice on the Action menu! Yay! But now I have red X’s that prevent me from
moving further in the replication set-up. Still missing something…

[mikeindo]

forgot to mention what i did on SERVER2. opened DFS snap-in and chose Show
Root and everything came up looking like on SERVER1. did Check Status on
everything, but still have red X's. on both servers, i do have 2 link
targets: \\SERVER1\DFS-SERVER1 and \\SERVER2\DFS-SERVER2. both are Enabled
and Online.

[Paul Williams [MVP]]

You don't use the root; you use a different shared folder. Also, I wouldn't
name the root that. As this is a test, create a root called DFS. Then, on
server one create a folder called shares and then a folder called test.
Share test as test$. Add a link called test and point it to test$. Now, do
the same on number two - create a folder called share\test and share as
test$. Now, create a new replica in the existing link. You should now have
the following in the DFS snap in:

\Distributed File System
-- domain-name.com\dfs
-- test
-- \\server1\test$
-- \\server2\test$

You should also create a new root replica, by right-clicking the root and
choosing new root replica. In this case, you will want to create this on
server2.

Hope that makes more sense. The root is just a special folder for storing
info. for DNS. You never point links to it - you create new links that
point to shares anywhere in your network.

[mikeindo]

OK, i think i'm getting this figured out. BTW, i think your refernces to
"replicas" is actually called "targets" in w2k3? anyway, it seems this all
worked - thank you! a test text document immediately showed up on the other
server.

One thing: why is another ‘test’ folder created underneath the test$ share?

Q. 2: if i want to add other folders to replicate, do i add them as other
links? or create new roots and have the links under those?

[Paul Williams [MVP]]

One thing: why is another 'test' folder created underneath the test$
share?

I don't know. I'm not in front of a system to test this at the moment -
have you created a folder in there?

Or are you referring to the name of the root, and the folders for the root
in the file system? If you are, all links are created as folders under the
root - but you can't access them - this is the DFS configuration.

Q. 2: if i want to add other folders to replicate, do i add them as other
links? or create new roots and have the links under those?

Both. Generally you will do the former, but if you have a large number of
resources to share, you may find it easier to have multiple roots that
contain a common set of links, e.g. a root for accounting with links to all
accounting shares, another root for engineering, etc.