Others on the list complain, but my experience has been contrary. Let me also clarify by saying that we weren't replicating large files. If you wanted to put all of your ghost images, for example, on DFS with the default FRS replication, then I would recommend against that. The things that I have found helpful in setting up and maintaining DFS are as follows:
The general discussion:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deployguide/en-us/sdccc_fsv_geub.asp
or
<x-tad-bigger>http://tinyurl.com/2elox if it got mangled....
</x-tad-bigger>After reading the above, get to know your Staging Directory learn how to move it, reset it, empty it. Just google on the FRS Staging Directory and you will find a plethora about it.
Finally, know when it is not working. If you have a situation where FRS isn't working realize that you are one of the unfortunate, and come up with an alternate solution. One of my colleagues who had a situation like that came up with this little robocopy batch file to synch the content. Feel free to use it as you see fit. It takes an argument at the command line to synch from one server to another.
@echo off
if "%1"=="" echo usage: SyncToServer "ServerName"
if "%1"=="" goto End
set RootDir=E:\Shared\DFS\ManualSync
set Robocopy="%RootDir%\Robocopy.exe"
set LogDir=%RootDir%\Logs
FOR /F "tokens=1,2,3,4 delims=/ " %%i in ("%DATE%") do SET MyMonth=%%j&SET MyDay=%%k&SET MyYear=%%l
FOR /F "tokens=1,2 delims=:" %%i in ("%TIME%") do SET MyHour=%%i&SET MyMinute=%%j
Set LogFile="%LogDir%\%1 %MyMonth%-%MyDay%-%MyYear% %MyHour%_%MyMinute%.log"
%robocopy% \\ServerName\Share1$ \\%1\Share1$ /mir /r:1 /w:5 /np /log+:%LogFile%
%robocopy% \\ServerName\Share2$ \\%1\Share2$ /mir /r:1 /w:5 /np /log+:%LogFile%
%robocopy% \\ServerName\Share3$ \\%1\Share3$ /mir /r:1 /w:5 /np /log+:%LogFile%
%robocopy% \\ServerName\Share4$ \\%1\Share4$ /mir /r:1 /w:5 /np /log+:%LogFile%
:End
HTH
Brent
On May 17, 2004, at 9:16 PM, Jennifer Fountain wrote:
The primary goal is to have 2+ servers and have the customer only see
one. Replication is only an added benefit if it works ok. I do have
another question - how many on the list use dfs? In a situation with 2+
servers, is this something you would recommend? Unfortunately, the day
I treaded happened. Our file server died and the last good backup
occurred on weds. So now, the motivation to make smaller servers has
increased.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rich Milburn
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 3:06 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFS
There are two distinct issues here - having multiple instances of the
same data for redundancy/fault tolerance, and splitting the data among 4
servers for a type of load balancing. I think the latter was the
primary goal, is that right Jennifer? You just don't want 1 tb on a
single server? Yes with DFS you can just split it up and have your 250
GB on each. That keeps you from having all 1000 GB of your files go away
if one server dies, and you'll probably get better response times for
your file access. You can set certain folders to replicate but not
replicate the whole thing of course, and those folders you designate as
having multiple sources and you'll achieve true load balancing and
redundancy for that 20 Mb or so. The main concern, as I understand it,
with the replicated folders is if people are liable to modify the same
files on different servers at the same time or before replication occurs
if it's not immediate. Some data lends itself well to redundancy
(frequently used CD images etc) and some things don't do as well - home
directories for sure, and departmental directories depending on how
they're used. At least that's my opinion from how I've understood it.
Rich Milburn
MCSE, Microsoft MVP - Directory Services Sr Network Analyst, Field
Platform Development Applebee's International, Inc.
4551 W. 107th St
Overland Park, KS 66207
913-967-2819
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jennifer
Fountain
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 4:05 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFS
I was only thinking about replication between two servers and the data
would be small. Maybe 20 mb here and there - as files are updated.
Kind Regards,
Jennifer Fountain
R&B Inc
3400 E Walnut Street
Colmar, PA 18915
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bruce
Clingaman
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 4:12 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFS
1 TB is too much for DFS to replicate between two servers, not to
mention four. The replication (FRS) in DFS is flawed.
Have you looked into shadow copy or a utility like Robocopy?
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jennifer
Fountain
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:45 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFS
The main objective to to remove the single point of failure I have now
- one big file server. If this goes down, we are SOL. From what IList info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm
read/tested, DFS will allow you to point a single folder to shares on
different physical locations.
(basically, the user sees one server but in reality I have four)
Replication is also something I could take advantage of; However, can
you schedule replication in DFS?
Kind Regards,
Jennifer Fountain
R&B Inc
3400 E Walnut Street
Colmar, PA 18915
-----Original Message-----Depp, Dennis
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
M.physical
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:59 PM
To: Salandra, Justin A.; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFS
Justin,
I don't think this is correct. With DFS, I can set up different
subfolders to point to different physical locations. These
locations can be setup a redundant pairs, but this is not required.<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Denny
-----Original Message-----
From: "Salandra, Justin A." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: 5/11/04 1:41:37 PM
To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFSRutherford,
Having a DFS structure would mean that you would have 4 servers
each with 1 TB of information on them because everything gets
replicated to all locations in the DFS. DFS will NOT put 250 GB on
one server, 250 GB on another server and so on.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
Robertassuming you
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:54 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] DFS
Sensitivity: Private
You can install a DFS root on a DC or member server.
It should work fine, in terms of splitting down a server and
distributing the data over a number of other servers. I'm
only want to use DFS to make a central share access hierarchy?for load
I would not use the replication side of it though as it's
inherently flawed... well it was on 2000 and have read it hasn't
changed that significantly on 2k3. If you do want to use the
replication then I would only use it for read only data, i.e.
Application distribution points.
BR,
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Fountain [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 11 May 2004 14:47
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [ActiveDir] DFS
Sensitivity: Private
Does anyone here use DFS? If so, do you use it
balancing? Did you install it on a DC? It's own server?tb of space)
We are looking into breaking our one huge file server (1
into 4 smaller servers (more manageable and wanted to look into DFS.or copying)
We do have NT/95 clients but that should not stop me because I can
install the AD client on them.
Thanks for any info!
Kind Regards,
Jennifer Fountain
R&B Inc
3400 E Walnut Street
Colmar, PA 18915
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