Distributed File system or DFS replication for short is a way for us to combine our file shares across multiple servers and especially in a domain environment to allow us some fault tolerance and redundancy and also to improve performance. Basically, a file share can be set up on two different servers in different locations and replication is set up between these two sites. When you access these shares from one of these locations you will access the share that is local which will improve your overall performance when opening, editing and saving files.
In the below example we will create a DFS share for “Software” so I can store a list of installation files and have them replicate between Server 1 (Site1) and Server2 (Site 2). These files will then be available locally to each server on each site and will save copying install files across the network when needed.
How to set up a DFS Namespace
Step 1
If you would like to use DFS you will need to Install the DFS Namespaces and DFS replication server roles. You can do this through Server Manager.
Select Manage and then Add Roles and Features
Please note : On Server2 you do not necessarily need to install DFS Nampespaces. Just DFS Replication will do and the files will successfully replicate to this server.
Create a identical folder on each server and Share this folder
Open your DFS Management console and create a Name space.
Type in the server name that you are setting the DFS share
Give your Namespace a name. (This is not your share name)
Your names space will then be created.
Set up the DFS share that you will replicate.
Right click on your name space and select Add new folder
Point to the new Shared folder that will be used in DFS and give it a name.
How to set up DFS Replication
There is no need to log into your second server. Now that you have set up your DFS folder you can now replicate this folder with the folder on your second DC that you created in step 1 straight from the management console on server 1
You can do this by adding a new Folder Target which points to your second server’s share.
