Setup Distributed File System on Windows Server 2008 R2

With Distributed File System you can create a single namespace that provides users access to all the shared folders in your organization. DFS namespace and use replication to copy files between multiple servers and  provides a centralized directory structure for folders shared from multiple computers and is capable of automatically replicating files between folders for redundancy.

1. You create a shared folder named Backup on both Srv1 and Srv2

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2.  On srv1, in Server Manager, right-click Roles, and then choose Add Roles. The Add Roles Wizard appears.

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3. On the Before You Begin page, click Next.

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4. On the Server Roles page, select the File Services check box. Click Next.

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5. On the File Services page, click Next.

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6. On the Select Role Services page, select the role services File Server, Distributed File System check box and Click Next.

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7. On DFS Namespace page, type the namespace name Backup and Click Next.

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8. On the Namespace Two option available whether to create a domain-based namespace or a stand -alone namespace. Domain based namespace use Active directory domain name as their root, and stand alone namespace use the server as their root. Select Domain based namespace and Click Next.

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9. On the Namespace Configuration page, click Next.

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10. On the Confirmation page, click Install.

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11. On the Results page, click Close.

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12. Click Start, Administrative tool and click on DFS Management option.

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13. In DFS Management, right-click the namespace, and then choose Add folder Target.

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14. New Folder Target option, Click Browse.

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15. On Browse for shared folders option, Click Browse, and then enter the name of the server with DFS role installed that you want host the replica.

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16. Select Computer Option Type the Name of the server with the DFS role installed

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17. Ensure that the server name is set to the target server.

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18. New Folder Target option appear, click ok

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19. You will be prompted to create a replication group, Click Yes.

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20. The Progress Option appear.

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21. In Replicate folder wizard option appear, Click Next.

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22. In Replication Group minimum of two servers to a replication group.

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23. From Replicate Folder Wizard option, Select Primary Member.

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24. Select the type of replication topology that you want to use, Select Full-mesh topology and Click Next.

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25. You have the option of configuring replication to occur continuously or according to a schedule and the Click Next.

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26. Review Settings and create Replication group option appear, Click Create to continue.

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27. After the New Replication Group Wizard complete, Click Close.

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28. Click Ok button to acknowledge the replication delay.

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Adding a Server to the DFS Namespace

29. In Server Manager, right-click NameSpaces \\trainingtech.net, and then choose Add Namespace Server.

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30. The Add Namespace Server dialog box appear, click browse.

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31. Select Computer Option Type the Name of the server SRV2 and Click Check Names to verify.

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32. In the details pane, click the Namespace Servers tab. Note that both servers are listed

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33. In DFS Management, select the DFS Management\Replication\trainingtech.net\Backup\data node. In the details pane, browse each of the four tabs to view more information about the replication group.

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