Understanding DFS

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Brillmike

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I have a need and interest to use DFS but I am not sure I understand some of
the details.

1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and I
dont want to purchase all new licenses?
2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a Netapp
NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
server need to be R2?

Thanks in advance, Mike
 
Re: Understanding DFS

> 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and I
> dont want to purchase all new licenses?

R2 is the latest greatest DFSR. If you want to use R2 features you need to
install R2. Not sure about licensing but R2 is a two disk set. Disk 1 is
Windows 2003 SP1 and disk 2 is the new updated R2 features. It's worth
checking to see if you have to purchase licenses if you are already on Win
2k3 SP1.

> 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
> accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?

No. In order to benefit the most form the new Features of R2 you should have
Win 2k3 Enterprise version on the hub and you can have Win 2k3 Standard on
the servers replicating to the hub. With the enterprise version in the mix
DFSR will replicate ONLY what changes, NOT the entire file (if I recall
correctly). You can not set up an R2 replication set unless both members are
R2.

> 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
> Netapp
> NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?

I don't think DFSR really cares where the files come from.


> 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
> server need to be R2?

As far as I know DFSR will not span partitions. You would set up a
replication group to replicate all the files on one partition and set up
another replication group to replicate the files on another partition. I've
found it's easier to just put all the files you want to replicate into one
folder and select that folder when creating the replication group.

hth
DDS


"Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:27E4F84B-79E2-4955-904A-D184C4B4DB24@microsoft.com...
>I have a need and interest to use DFS but I am not sure I understand some
>of
> the details.
>
> 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and I
> dont want to purchase all new licenses?
> 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
> accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
> 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
> Netapp
> NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
> 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
> server need to be R2?
>
> Thanks in advance, Mike
 
Re: Understanding DFS

4. follow up.

Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another? Meaning,
if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on every
partition thus losing all the space. I wanted to use tis because I am
installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and was
worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
space.

"Danny Sanders" wrote:

> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and I
> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
>
> R2 is the latest greatest DFSR. If you want to use R2 features you need to
> install R2. Not sure about licensing but R2 is a two disk set. Disk 1 is
> Windows 2003 SP1 and disk 2 is the new updated R2 features. It's worth
> checking to see if you have to purchase licenses if you are already on Win
> 2k3 SP1.
>
> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
>
> No. In order to benefit the most form the new Features of R2 you should have
> Win 2k3 Enterprise version on the hub and you can have Win 2k3 Standard on
> the servers replicating to the hub. With the enterprise version in the mix
> DFSR will replicate ONLY what changes, NOT the entire file (if I recall
> correctly). You can not set up an R2 replication set unless both members are
> R2.
>
> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
> > Netapp
> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
>
> I don't think DFSR really cares where the files come from.
>
>
> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
> > server need to be R2?
>
> As far as I know DFSR will not span partitions. You would set up a
> replication group to replicate all the files on one partition and set up
> another replication group to replicate the files on another partition. I've
> found it's easier to just put all the files you want to replicate into one
> folder and select that folder when creating the replication group.
>
> hth
> DDS
>
>
> "Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:27E4F84B-79E2-4955-904A-D184C4B4DB24@microsoft.com...
> >I have a need and interest to use DFS but I am not sure I understand some
> >of
> > the details.
> >
> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and I
> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
> > Netapp
> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
> > server need to be R2?
> >
> > Thanks in advance, Mike
>
>
>
 
Re: Understanding DFS

> Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another? Meaning,
> if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on
> every
> partition thus losing all the space.


As far as I know you can not span partitions with DFSR. When you create a
replication group you select the server, then you select the folder. You can
select the volume root but MS does not recommend selecting the root for
replication.

I wanted to use tis because I am
> installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and was
> worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
> space.

You would create multiple replication groups for each "partition" you want
replicated. Create a folder on the c:\ partition and move all the files you
want replicated into that folder. Create a folder for the D:\ drive and move
all the files into that folder you want replicated. On the server you are
replicating to (the hub) you would create one replication group for that
server using the c: drive replicating to it's own folder and a second
replication group for the D: drive replicating to it's own folder.

If you were to replicate the C and the D drive in the same replication group
with the hub server, the files on the C drive would get replicated to the D
drive and the files on the D drive would get replicated to the C drive and
the hub server would have the C and the D drive replicated to one folder.
Not what you want.

hth
DDS

"Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:F66ADFF7-197D-49AE-BC30-9CB7607B0236@microsoft.com...
> 4. follow up.
>
> Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another? Meaning,
> if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on
> every
> partition thus losing all the space. I wanted to use tis because I am
> installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and was
> worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
> space.
>
> "Danny Sanders" wrote:
>
>> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and
>> > I
>> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
>>
>> R2 is the latest greatest DFSR. If you want to use R2 features you need
>> to
>> install R2. Not sure about licensing but R2 is a two disk set. Disk 1 is
>> Windows 2003 SP1 and disk 2 is the new updated R2 features. It's worth
>> checking to see if you have to purchase licenses if you are already on
>> Win
>> 2k3 SP1.
>>
>> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
>> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
>>
>> No. In order to benefit the most form the new Features of R2 you should
>> have
>> Win 2k3 Enterprise version on the hub and you can have Win 2k3 Standard
>> on
>> the servers replicating to the hub. With the enterprise version in the
>> mix
>> DFSR will replicate ONLY what changes, NOT the entire file (if I recall
>> correctly). You can not set up an R2 replication set unless both members
>> are
>> R2.
>>
>> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
>> > Netapp
>> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
>>
>> I don't think DFSR really cares where the files come from.
>>
>>
>> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
>> > server need to be R2?
>>
>> As far as I know DFSR will not span partitions. You would set up a
>> replication group to replicate all the files on one partition and set up
>> another replication group to replicate the files on another partition.
>> I've
>> found it's easier to just put all the files you want to replicate into
>> one
>> folder and select that folder when creating the replication group.
>>
>> hth
>> DDS
>>
>>
>> "Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:27E4F84B-79E2-4955-904A-D184C4B4DB24@microsoft.com...
>> >I have a need and interest to use DFS but I am not sure I understand
>> >some
>> >of
>> > the details.
>> >
>> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and
>> > I
>> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
>> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
>> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
>> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
>> > Netapp
>> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
>> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
>> > server need to be R2?
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance, Mike
>>
>>
>>
 
Re: Understanding DFS

Why do I need to upgrade to R2, does the DFS on windows 2003 sp1 not function
properly?

"Danny Sanders" wrote:

> > Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another? Meaning,
> > if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on
> > every
> > partition thus losing all the space.
>
>
> As far as I know you can not span partitions with DFSR. When you create a
> replication group you select the server, then you select the folder. You can
> select the volume root but MS does not recommend selecting the root for
> replication.
>
> I wanted to use tis because I am
> > installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and was
> > worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
> > space.
>
> You would create multiple replication groups for each "partition" you want
> replicated. Create a folder on the c:\ partition and move all the files you
> want replicated into that folder. Create a folder for the D:\ drive and move
> all the files into that folder you want replicated. On the server you are
> replicating to (the hub) you would create one replication group for that
> server using the c: drive replicating to it's own folder and a second
> replication group for the D: drive replicating to it's own folder.
>
> If you were to replicate the C and the D drive in the same replication group
> with the hub server, the files on the C drive would get replicated to the D
> drive and the files on the D drive would get replicated to the C drive and
> the hub server would have the C and the D drive replicated to one folder.
> Not what you want.
>
> hth
> DDS
>
> "Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:F66ADFF7-197D-49AE-BC30-9CB7607B0236@microsoft.com...
> > 4. follow up.
> >
> > Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another? Meaning,
> > if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on
> > every
> > partition thus losing all the space. I wanted to use tis because I am
> > installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and was
> > worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
> > space.
> >
> > "Danny Sanders" wrote:
> >
> >> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and
> >> > I
> >> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
> >>
> >> R2 is the latest greatest DFSR. If you want to use R2 features you need
> >> to
> >> install R2. Not sure about licensing but R2 is a two disk set. Disk 1 is
> >> Windows 2003 SP1 and disk 2 is the new updated R2 features. It's worth
> >> checking to see if you have to purchase licenses if you are already on
> >> Win
> >> 2k3 SP1.
> >>
> >> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
> >> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
> >>
> >> No. In order to benefit the most form the new Features of R2 you should
> >> have
> >> Win 2k3 Enterprise version on the hub and you can have Win 2k3 Standard
> >> on
> >> the servers replicating to the hub. With the enterprise version in the
> >> mix
> >> DFSR will replicate ONLY what changes, NOT the entire file (if I recall
> >> correctly). You can not set up an R2 replication set unless both members
> >> are
> >> R2.
> >>
> >> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
> >> > Netapp
> >> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
> >>
> >> I don't think DFSR really cares where the files come from.
> >>
> >>
> >> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
> >> > server need to be R2?
> >>
> >> As far as I know DFSR will not span partitions. You would set up a
> >> replication group to replicate all the files on one partition and set up
> >> another replication group to replicate the files on another partition.
> >> I've
> >> found it's easier to just put all the files you want to replicate into
> >> one
> >> folder and select that folder when creating the replication group.
> >>
> >> hth
> >> DDS
> >>
> >>
> >> "Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> news:27E4F84B-79E2-4955-904A-D184C4B4DB24@microsoft.com...
> >> >I have a need and interest to use DFS but I am not sure I understand
> >> >some
> >> >of
> >> > the details.
> >> >
> >> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop and
> >> > I
> >> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
> >> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
> >> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
> >> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from a
> >> > Netapp
> >> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
> >> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does that
> >> > server need to be R2?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks in advance, Mike
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
 
Re: Understanding DFS

> Why do I need to upgrade to R2, does the DFS on windows 2003 sp1 not
> function
> properly?

DFS is a limited version of R2. R2 supports Bandwidth throttling, you can
tell your replication group how much bandwidth to use for replication, it
supports replicating ONLY what changed in a particular file instead of
replicating the entire file, you can filter what is replicated. It supports
Remote Differential Compression See:
http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/ar...ow-about-remote-differential-compression.aspx

In order to *get* those new and improved R2 features you have to use R2.

hth
DDS


"Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3288CEB2-9BA7-4CBF-9FDB-4F163EFD1745@microsoft.com...
> Why do I need to upgrade to R2, does the DFS on windows 2003 sp1 not
> function
> properly?
>
> "Danny Sanders" wrote:
>
>> > Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another?
>> > Meaning,
>> > if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on
>> > every
>> > partition thus losing all the space.
>>
>>
>> As far as I know you can not span partitions with DFSR. When you create a
>> replication group you select the server, then you select the folder. You
>> can
>> select the volume root but MS does not recommend selecting the root for
>> replication.
>>
>> I wanted to use tis because I am
>> > installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and
>> > was
>> > worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
>> > space.
>>
>> You would create multiple replication groups for each "partition" you
>> want
>> replicated. Create a folder on the c:\ partition and move all the files
>> you
>> want replicated into that folder. Create a folder for the D:\ drive and
>> move
>> all the files into that folder you want replicated. On the server you are
>> replicating to (the hub) you would create one replication group for that
>> server using the c: drive replicating to it's own folder and a second
>> replication group for the D: drive replicating to it's own folder.
>>
>> If you were to replicate the C and the D drive in the same replication
>> group
>> with the hub server, the files on the C drive would get replicated to the
>> D
>> drive and the files on the D drive would get replicated to the C drive
>> and
>> the hub server would have the C and the D drive replicated to one folder.
>> Not what you want.
>>
>> hth
>> DDS
>>
>> "Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:F66ADFF7-197D-49AE-BC30-9CB7607B0236@microsoft.com...
>> > 4. follow up.
>> >
>> > Are all the folders actuall replicated from one place to another?
>> > Meaning,
>> > if i use it to span the partions i will have copies of all the files on
>> > every
>> > partition thus losing all the space. I wanted to use tis because I am
>> > installing a 7TB array and need on access share to the whole array and
>> > was
>> > worried about creating just one partion that spans that large amount of
>> > space.
>> >
>> > "Danny Sanders" wrote:
>> >
>> >> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop
>> >> > and
>> >> > I
>> >> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
>> >>
>> >> R2 is the latest greatest DFSR. If you want to use R2 features you
>> >> need
>> >> to
>> >> install R2. Not sure about licensing but R2 is a two disk set. Disk 1
>> >> is
>> >> Windows 2003 SP1 and disk 2 is the new updated R2 features. It's worth
>> >> checking to see if you have to purchase licenses if you are already on
>> >> Win
>> >> 2k3 SP1.
>> >>
>> >> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
>> >> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
>> >>
>> >> No. In order to benefit the most form the new Features of R2 you
>> >> should
>> >> have
>> >> Win 2k3 Enterprise version on the hub and you can have Win 2k3
>> >> Standard
>> >> on
>> >> the servers replicating to the hub. With the enterprise version in the
>> >> mix
>> >> DFSR will replicate ONLY what changes, NOT the entire file (if I
>> >> recall
>> >> correctly). You can not set up an R2 replication set unless both
>> >> members
>> >> are
>> >> R2.
>> >>
>> >> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from
>> >> > a
>> >> > Netapp
>> >> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
>> >>
>> >> I don't think DFSR really cares where the files come from.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does
>> >> > that
>> >> > server need to be R2?
>> >>
>> >> As far as I know DFSR will not span partitions. You would set up a
>> >> replication group to replicate all the files on one partition and set
>> >> up
>> >> another replication group to replicate the files on another partition.
>> >> I've
>> >> found it's easier to just put all the files you want to replicate into
>> >> one
>> >> folder and select that folder when creating the replication group.
>> >>
>> >> hth
>> >> DDS
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Brillmike" <brillmike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:27E4F84B-79E2-4955-904A-D184C4B4DB24@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I have a need and interest to use DFS but I am not sure I understand
>> >> >some
>> >> >of
>> >> > the details.
>> >> >
>> >> > 1. Do I need to use Windows 2003 R2? We are a Windows 2003 SP1 shop
>> >> > and
>> >> > I
>> >> > dont want to purchase all new licenses?
>> >> > 2. Can i just use one R2 member server to act as my DFS root, whiles
>> >> > accessing the files on the other network 2003 servers?
>> >> > 3. Can i add non Windows files to the DFS shares, for instance from
>> >> > a
>> >> > Netapp
>> >> > NAS device (which is setup to look like a windows share)?
>> >> > 4. If I want to use DFS to span partitions on a single server does
>> >> > that
>> >> > server need to be R2?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks in advance, Mike
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 
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