Client computer does not recognize all valid DFS path formats (327409)

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DFS servers typically reply to DFS referral queries with paths that start with a single backslash (\). This is true of all Microsoft DFS servers, up to and including servers that are running Windows NT Service Pack 6a (SP6a) and Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3). Behavior in future service packs and operating system products may not be restricted to single backslash path formats. The DFS specifications do not restrict path formats to single backslashes.

If a DFS server responds to referral requests, clients may not connect to DFS link targets successfully. See the following sample Network Monitor abstract:

SMB: C transact2 NT Get DFS Referral
   SMB: DFS Max Referral Level = 3 (0x3)
   SMB: DFS Request Filename = \\DFSROOTHOST\ROOT\LINK

SMB: R transact2 NT Get DFS Referral (response to previous frame)
   SMB: DFS Path Consumed = 46 (0x2E)
   SMB: DFS Number of Referrals = 1 (0x1)
   SMB: DFS Server Function = 1 (0x1)
      SMB: ...............................1 = Referral Server
      SMB: ..............................0. = Not a Storage Server
   SMB: DFS Version 3 Referral
      SMB: DFS Version Number = 3 (0x3)
      SMB: DFS Server Type = Unknown Server Type
      SMB: DFS TimeToLive = 1800 (0x708)
      SMB: DFS Filename = \\DFSROOTHOST\ROOT\LINK
      SMB: DFS 8.3 Filename = \\DFSROOTHOST\ROOT\LINK
      SMB: DFS Sharename = \\DFSLINKTARGET\SHARENAME
      SMB: DFS Servicesite GUID = 00 00 00 ... 00 00 00
				

Generally, the names in referral responses use the \Dfslinktarget\Sharename format:

SMB: C transact2 NT Get DFS Referral
   SMB: DFS Max Referral Level = 3 (0x3)
   SMB: DFS Request Filename = \\DFSROOTHOST\ROOT\LINK

SMB: R transact2 NT Get DFS Referral (response to previous frame)
   SMB: DFS Path Consumed = 44 (0x2C)
   SMB: DFS Number of Referrals = 1 (0x1)
   SMB: DFS Server Function = 1 (0x1)
      SMB: ...............................1 = Referral Server
      SMB: ..............................0. = Not a Storage Server
   SMB: DFS Version 3 Referral
      SMB: DFS Version Number = 3 (0x3)
      SMB: DFS Server Type = Unknown Server Type
      SMB: DFS TimeToLive = 1800 (0x708)
      SMB: DFS Filename = \DFSROOTHOST\ROOT\LINK
      SMB: DFS 8.3 Filename = \DFSROOTHOST\ROOT\LINK
      SMB: DFS Sharename = \DFSLINKTARGET\SHARENAME
      SMB: DFS Servicesite GUID = 00 00 00 ... 00 00 00