How to Install Distributed File System (DFS) on Windows 2000 (241452)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
This article was previously published under Q241452 SUMMARY
Distributed file system (Dfs) is used to make files distributed across multiple servers appear to users as if they reside in one place on the network. Because of this, users no longer need to know or specify the actual physical location of files in order to obtain access to them. Dfs can be implemented as stand-alone or domain-based. Domain-based Dfs has the following advantages:
- Windows 2000 automatically publishes the Dfs topology in the Active Directory, making it visible to users on all servers in the domain.
- The administrator has the ability to replicate the Dfs roots and shared folders to multiple servers in the domain. By doing so users are permitted to obtain access to their files even if one of the physical servers on which the files reside becomes unavailable.
Dfs Architecture
In addition to the server-based Dfs component of Windows 2000, there is also a client-based Dfs component. The Dfs client caches a referral to a Dfs root or a Dfs link for a specific length of time, configured by the administrator. A computer running the Dfs client must be a member of the same domain as the server hosting the Dfs root. The Dfs client component runs on a number of different Windows platforms.
Platform: DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups, NetWare
Host Dfs client: No
Host Dfs root: No
Platform: Windows 95
Host Dfs client: Yes, requires client for Dfs 4.x and 5.0 add-on
Host Dfs root: No
Platform: Windows 98
Host Dfs client: Yes, Dfs 4.x and 5.0 (stand-alone) client included; requires client for Dfs 5.0 add-on (domain-based)
Host Dfs root: No
Platform: Windows NT 4.0 and Service Pack 3
Host Dfs client: Yes, Dfs 4.x and 5.0 (stand-alone) client included
Host Dfs root: Yes, stand-alone server only
Platform: Windows 2000
Host Dfs client: Dfs 5.0 client included
Host Dfs root: Yes, stand-alone and domain-based server or domain controller
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 6/29/2004 |
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Keywords: | kbhowto kbnetwork KB241452 |
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