Distributed File System Technology Center

View this demo of a simplified branch office solution using DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication.

Get in-depth answers to commonly asked questions about DFS in Windows Server 2000 and Windows Server 2003.

Get answers to the commonly asked questions for the new replication engine in Windows Server 2003 R2.

This guide provides system requirements, installation instructions, and step-by-step walkthroughs for deploying DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication using Windows Server 2003 R2.

This card describes how the Microsoft Corporation Information Technology group (Microsoft IT) uses Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Distributed File System (DFS), which contains new state-of-the-art replication, management, and compression technologies that ensure the efficient use of bandwidth. DFS includes a rich set of technologies, including DFS Namespaces, DFS Replication, and Remote Differential Compression (RDC).

Find step-by-step instructions on how to use the DFSRAdmin Command-line Tool to create replication groups and replicated folders and step-by-step instructions for other common tasks.

Visit the TechNet site for design recommendations for using DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication in Windows Server 2003 R2.

Visit the TechNet site for an in-depth overview of DFS Namespaces in Windows Server 2003.

The DFS Replication Service Management Pack for MOM monitors the DFS Replication service running on Windows Server 2003 R2.

The Windows Server 2003 SP1 Support Tools download contains the most recent version of Dfsutil.exe, which includes parameters for configuring the client failback and target priority features introduced in Windows Server 2003 SP1.

CB Richard Ellis, the leading commercial real estate services company, understands the importance of making information accessible to its staff: Without reliable and available data, sales professionals can’t make decisions that support transactions. As part of its recent decision to standardize on Microsoft software and upgrade older technology to Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the company is also testing Windows Server 2003 R2. It will assess the capabilities of this latest release of the Microsoft Windows operating system for centralizing data backup at its branch offices. With the improved replication and remote data management features in Windows Server 2003 R2, CB Richard Ellis expects to improve file resource management and is experiencing a decrease of about 90 percent in bandwidth requirements for data replication.

Southern Company, one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States, relies on tape-drive devices, batch-file backup scripts, and specialized software to back up vital data from its branch offices to central data servers. Each method has its limitations and added costs. Southern Company’s IT team discovered that Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 could do everything their older replication technologies could do and more—at no additional cost.

Historically, American Savings Bank used batch files to deploy and update software across the organization, a time-consuming approach that could not guarantee availability of applications locally. To enhance software replication, streamline print management, and increase control over storage resources, the company deployed a new software architecture based on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2. This technology offers fast, reliable replication of applications and files to local distribution points.

ARCADIS expects to save about U.S.$739,000 annually in staff time, tape-related costs, improved server and business uptime, and more efficient data storage by upgrading to Windows Server 2003 R2.

With the file replication efficiencies of Windows Server 2003 R2, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior has improved the reliability of routine software updates between central and branch office servers, restoring at least two days per month of productivity to IT staff and police officers.

The Windows Server 2003 R2 deployment has given Microsoft IT better use of server storage, reduced time spent managing file servers, significant reductions in WAN bandwidth usage, a better user experience with single sign-on, and enhanced security.

Paul Smith, an English fashion retailer, recently deployed Windows Server 2003 R2 to improve server computer management at its branch offices, overhauling the time-consuming daily backup of data and restoring one day a week of productivity to IT staff and one hour a day to branch office staff. Read the case study, or view the demo.

This webcast introduces two new features of DFS Namespaces: target priority and client failback. These features are available on servers running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2003 R2.

This webcast walks you through the essential steps in the process of migrating from the File Replication service (FRS) to the new Distributed File System (DFS) Replication service available in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2.

Tune in to this webcast to learn how to identify and fix problems with the DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication technologies in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2.

This webcast gives you a preview of the branch office technologies that will be in Microsoft Windows Vista, formerly code-named “Longhorn.” You will gain insight into the development cycle of this new version of Windows, including how requirements were gathered and your role in influencing it.

Review the essential elements that you must include in your planning and implementation of a branch-office deployment using DFS technologies.

Learn how technologies such as the DFS and Print Management Console enable efficient WAN file replication and enhanced remote management.

This webcast provides a comprehensive view of the DFS technologies in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2.

This webcast explains DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication in detail and the benefits these technologies can bring to your Microsoft Windows Server Branch Office environment.

Review the latest Help for the DFS Management snap-in in Windows Server 2003 R2.

Review the latest Help for the Dfsutil.exe command-line tool used for managing namespaces.

Check this popular community discussion group about Distributed File System (DFS), DFS Replication, and File Replication Service (FRS).

The integrated storage services in Windows Server 2003 are easier to manage, more reliable, and more available than ever before. More efficient backup and restore operations, new shadow copy features, and an improved Encrypting File System (EFS) help reduce costs and increase productivity.

Try out a number of tools for monitoring FRS.