Contents
Overview 1
Introduction to Dfs 2
Setting Up a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root 7
Configuring Child Nodes for a
Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root 10
Guidelines for Configuring Dfs for a
Multisite Environment 15
Administering Dfs 16
Lab A: Implementing Dfs 19
Best Practices 27
Review 28

Module 9: Using Dfs to
Share File Resources
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Manufacturing Manager: Bo Galford
Manufacturing Support: Mimi Dukes (S&T OnSite)
Lead Product Manager, Development Services: Elaine Nuerenberg
Lead Product Manager: Sandy Alto
Group Product Manager: Robert Stewart Module 9: Using Dfs to Share File Resources iii Introduction
This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to share file
resources in a network by installing, configuring, and managing the Distributed
file system (Dfs).
In the hands-on lab in this module, students will have a chance to use Dfs to
share network resources.
Materials and Preparation
This section provides you with the materials and preparation needed to teach
this module.
Materials
To teach this module, you need the following materials:
?? Microsoft® PowerPoint® file 1558A_09.ppt

Preparation
To prepare for this module, you should:
?? Read all the materials for this module.
?? Complete the lab.
?? Study the review questions and prepare alternative answers to discuss.
?? Anticipate questions that students may ask. Write out the questions and
provide the answers.

tolerant Dfs root.
?? Configuring Child Nodes for a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root
In this topic, you will introduce configuring child nodes for a fault-tolerant
Dfs root. Demonstrate how to set up Dfs child nodes. Explain why a Dfs
client caches the referral to the child node. Illustrate how to create multiple
replicas of child nodes. Emphasize that configuring multiple replicas of a
child node creates fault tolerance and load balancing. Describe how to
configure replication among child nodes.
?? Guidelines for Configuring Dfs for a Multisite Environment
In this topic, you will describe how to configure Dfs for a multisite
environment. Emphasize the reason for each guideline.
?? Administering Dfs
In this topic, you will introduce administering Dfs. Demonstrate how to
check the status of replicas. Show students the green check marks and red
cross marks that appear after status check. Tell them what these marks
mean. Illustrate how to change the status of a replica. Demonstrate how to
change the referral interval for a Dfs root and child node.
?? Lab A: Implementing Dfs
Prepare students for the lab in which they will use Dfs to share network
resources. Make sure that students run the command file for the lab, and tell
them that they will work with their partner’s computers. After students have
completed the lab, ask them if they have any questions.
?? Best Practices
Present best practices for implementing Dfs. Emphasize the reason for each
best practice.

Module 9: Using Dfs to Share File Resources v Customization Information

?? Run C:\MOC\Win1558A\Labfiles\Lab09\Setup\Lab0901.cmd.
?? Create the folders manually, share the folders, and then create the required
text files in the folders.

Lab Results
Performing the lab in this module creates a Dfs root with child nodes.

You can run
C:\MOC\Win1558A\Labfiles\Lab09\Setup\Lab09Rm.cmd to remove most
configuration changes introduced during the labs in the module. Remove the
Dfs root manually.

Important
Important

Module 9: Using Dfs to Share File Resources 1 Overview
? Introduction to Dfs
? Setting Up a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root
? Configuring Child Nodes for a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root
? Guidelines for Configuring Dfs for a Multisite
Environment
? Administering Dfs
? Best PracticesWith more and more files being distributed across local area networks (LANs),
administrators face growing problems as they try to provide users with the

? Accessing File Resources Through Dfs
? Using the UNC Syntax to Access File ResourcesIn a network environment, it may be difficult for users to keep track of the
physical locations of shared folders. Dfs allows administrators to build
hierarchical file systems that span multiple file servers and file shares. This
allows users to gain access to shared folders at a single point, regardless of
where these folders are located in the network.
Slide Objective
To introduce the basic
concepts of Dfs.
Lead-in
You use Dfs to allow users
to gain access to shared
folders at a single point,
independent of the servers
on which these shared
folders are located.
Module 9: Using Dfs to Share File Resources 3 What Is Dfs?
Server2
South
West
Sales Data
Server1
Sales Data
North

?? Facilitates network navigation. Dfs provides users with easy navigation to
shared folders. A user who has access to the shared folder through Dfs does
not need to know the name of the server on which the folder is shared. This
simplifies network access because users do not need to find the server where
a specific folder is located. After connecting to a Dfs root, users can browse
and gain access to all file resources below the root, regardless of the
physical location of the resource in the network.
?? Facilitates network administration. Dfs simplifies the administration of
multiple shared folders. If a server fails, you can move the shared folder that
a child node represents from one server to another without users being
aware of the change. All that is required to indicate the new location of the
resource that a child node represents is to modify Dfs to refer to the new
server location. Users continue to use the same path for the child node.
?? Preserves network permissions. A user can gain access to a shared folder
through Dfs only if the permissions of the shared folder itself and any
applicable NTFS file system permissions allow the user to gain access to
the folder.
Slide Objective
To illustrate the benefits
of Dfs.
Lead-in
Dfs organizes shared
folders and simplifies
navigation to shared folders.
Key Points
If a user has the required
permission to gain access to
a shared folder, he or she
can gain access to the
shared folder through Dfs.

Child Nodes
Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root
Fault-Tolerant Fault-Tolerant Dfs Dfs RootRoot
? Stores the Dfs Topology in Active
Directory
? Continues to Function When a
Server Fails
? Allows All Participating Servers to Host
and Provide Fault Tolerance for a Given
Dfs Root
? Supports Multiple Levels of Child Nodes
? Supports File Replication
? Stores the Dfs Topology in Active
Directory
? Continues to Function When a
Server Fails
? Allows All Participating Servers to Host
and Provide Fault Tolerance for a Given
Dfs Root
? Supports Multiple Levels of Child Nodes
? Supports File ReplicationA Dfs root represents the topmost part of the Dfs topology. It is the starting
point for the hierarchy of shared folders. An enterprise may have any number
of Dfs roots, but each computer running Windows 2000 Server can host only
one Dfs root. A Dfs root can be defined at the domain level (for fault-tolerant
Dfs operation only) or at the server level. You can configure the following two
types of Dfs roots:
?? Stand-alone Dfs root. Stores the Dfs topology on a single computer.

and fault-tolerant.
Delivery Tip
Show students the
hierarchical structure of a
Dfs root with child nodes.
Key Points
A stand-alone Dfs root
provides no fault tolerance
because the Dfs topology is
stored on a single computer.

A fault-tolerant Dfs root
provides fault tolerance
because the Dfs topology is
stored in Active Directory.
Note
Module 9: Using Dfs to Share File Resources 5 Accessing File Resources Through Dfs
Client connects to a Dfs server
Client connects to a Dfs server
Client receives a referral to child node
Client receives a referral to child node
Dfs client connects to child node
Dfs client connects to child node
Sales Data
Sales Data
South
Sales Data

connect to the shared folder represented by the Dfs child node without
contacting the server hosting the Dfs root again, but it periodically contacts
the server hosting the Dfs root to update the referral. Dfs does not use separate NTFS permissions or shared folder
permissions for child nodes. Windows 2000 applies all permissions that you
assign to the shared folder to which the child node points.

Slide Objective
To describe how to gain
access to file resources
through Dfs.
Lead-in
You gain access to file
resources through Dfs in the
same way that you gain
access to other shared
folders. The process of
gaining access is
transparent to users.
Explain the three steps on
the slide.
Key Points
When a Dfs client connects
to a Dfs root, the client sees
all first-level child nodes.

When a Dfs client connects
to a child node, it requests

Part Description

server The name of the server hosting the Dfs root
share The name of the Dfs root
path The name of the child node and any folders within it

For example, if you type \\Server1\Data\Sales\International in the Map
Network Drive wizard, Windows 2000 first establishes a connection to the
Server1 computer, which hosts the Dfs root data. The computer then receives a
referral to the shared folder that is represented by the Sales child node. A
connection is established to this shared folder, and a drive is mapped to the
International folder in it.
If your client computer is running Windows 2000, use the name of the domain
that is hosting a fault-tolerant Dfs root instead of the name of a single server in
the UNC path. Because Active Directory stores the topology of a fault-tolerant
Dfs root, the client computer can query Active Directory for a server hosting
the Dfs root. To connect to a domain, the syntax would be \\domain\share\path. Only client computers with Dfs client software can gain access
to Dfs resources. Computers running Windows 2000, Windows NT®
version 4.0, and Windows 98 include a Dfs client. For computers
running Windows 95, you can download and install a Dfs client from
http://www.microsoft.com/ntServer/nts/downloads/winfeatures/NTSDistrFile/
default.asp.

Slide Objective
To describe how the UNC
syntax is used to gain
access to Dfs file resources.

Slide Objective
To introduce the topics
related to setting up a
Dfs root.
Lead-in
Administrators can ensure
that users can gain access
to all shared folders from a
common location by setting
up a Dfs root.
8 Module 9: Using Dfs to Share File Resources Creating a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root
To Create a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Root
To Create a Fault-TolerantTo Create a Fault-Tolerant Dfs Dfs Root Root
Select the New Dfs Root Volume Option
Select the New Dfs Root Volume Option
Configure the Create New Dfs Root Wizard
Options by Selecting:
Select Dfs Root Type
Select Domain to Host Dfs
Specify Server to Host Dfs
Select Share for Dfs Root Volume
Provide the Dfs Root Name
Configure the Create New Dfs Root Wizard
Options by Selecting:
Select Dfs Root Type
Select Domain to Host Dfs
Specify Server to Host Dfs

Windows 2000 Server.
Select Share for
Dfs Root Volume
Selects the shared folder to host the Dfs root. You can
choose an existing shared folder or create a new
shared folder.
Provide the Dfs
Root Name
Provides the descriptive name for the Dfs root that
Windows Explorer displays.

Slide Objective
To describe how to create a
fault-tolerant Dfs root.
Lead-in
You create fault-tolerant Dfs
roots to allow you to
maintain the Dfs tree
topology even if the server
hosting the Dfs root
goes offline.
Delivery Tip
Demonstrate how to create
a fault-tolerant Dfs root.

Demonstrate the process for
creating a stand-alone Dfs.

Key Point
Because changes to a fault-