DFS on a DC ( Win2k3R2 )

[Kyle Blake]

Hi,

I have domain controller that I initially setup to be a DFS server about 3
years ago. I do all Managment of DFS from this server. This server also has
a E:\ drive which is a Iscsi snap drive to a Netapp filer for snapping and
snapmirroring off site! Works Great! It serves a secondary DFS link for all
our branches to fall back on incase a branch server dies. If you can believe
we had one die and DFS routed people automatically to the secondary link
found on this server until the branch server was repaired. We even installed
the right KB patch on windows XP machines so fall back occured with minutes
and not hours!

My question is:

Can I run dcpromo and demote this DC and not have any problems with DFS?

I would guess it would be ok? What do you think?

[Isaac Oben [MCITP:EA, MCSE]]

Hello Kyle,

Yes, DFS should still work provided that, the DC you are about to demote is
not the last DC in your environment.
Domain Based dfs namespace doesnot have to be on domain controllers. So any
server in your environment can host dfs namespace. But before you demote
your current domain controller, make sure it is not the last DC in your
environment.

Isaac

Post by Kyle Blake
Hi,
I have domain controller that I initially setup to be a DFS server about 3
years ago. I do all Managment of DFS from this server. This server also has
a E:\ drive which is a Iscsi snap drive to a Netapp filer for snapping and
snapmirroring off site! Works Great! It serves a secondary DFS link for all
our branches to fall back on incase a branch server dies. If you can believe
we had one die and DFS routed people automatically to the secondary link
found on this server until the branch server was repaired. We even installed
the right KB patch on windows XP machines so fall back occured with minutes
and not hours!
Can I run dcpromo and demote this DC and not have any problems with DFS?
I would guess it would be ok? What do you think?

[Kyle BLake]

Thank you again for your time and support.

I'll will post back once I demote to confirm it worked ok as it should.

Thanks Isaac!

Post by Isaac Oben [MCITP:EA, MCSE]
Hello Kyle,
Yes, DFS should still work provided that, the DC you are about to demote is
not the last DC in your environment.
Domain Based dfs namespace doesnot have to be on domain controllers. So any
server in your environment can host dfs namespace. But before you demote
your current domain controller, make sure it is not the last DC in your
environment.
Isaac

Post by Kyle Blake
Hi,
I have domain controller that I initially setup to be a DFS server about 3
years ago. I do all Managment of DFS from this server. This server also has
a E:\ drive which is a Iscsi snap drive to a Netapp filer for snapping and
snapmirroring off site! Works Great! It serves a secondary DFS link for all
our branches to fall back on incase a branch server dies. If you can believe
we had one die and DFS routed people automatically to the secondary link
found on this server until the branch server was repaired. We even installed
the right KB patch on windows XP machines so fall back occured with minutes
and not hours!
Can I run dcpromo and demote this DC and not have any problems with DFS?
I would guess it would be ok? What do you think?