DFS (Distributed File System)

DFS allows administrators to make it easier for users to access and manage file that are physically distributed across a network.
With DFS, you can make files distributed across multiple servers. It may appear for users that files actually reside in one place (computer) on the network.
Benefits of DFS 

1. Easily access:

Users need not remember multiple locations form where they get data just by remembering one location they get access to the data.
2. Fall tolerance: 

For master DFS server we can have a replica (Target) on another DFS server. With the master DFS server face users can still continue accessing the data from back up DFS (Target)
There is no interruption to accessing data.

3. Load balancing: 

If all the DFS root servers and targets are working fine it leads to load balancing.
This is achieved by specifying locations for separate users. 

4. Security: 

We can implement security by using NTFS settings.
DFS Terminology: 

1. DFS root
2. DFS links
3. DFS targets
4. Domain DFS root
5. Stand – alone DFS root
Domain DFS root: 

It is a server configurable in the domain and offers fall tolerance and load balancing. It is a root server, which maintains links from other file servers
Requirements: 

DC or Member Server
Stand-alone DFS root: 
It is configurable work group model and does not provide fall tolerance &load balancing

DFS root: 

DFS root is the beginning of a hierarchy of DFS links that points to shared folders.

DFS link: 

A link from a DFS root to one or more shared file or folders.

Targets: 

The mapping destination of a DFS root or links, which corresponds to a physical folder that has been shared.

Implementation of DFS 
Creating a DFS root: 

On DC
Create a folder in any drive
Share it
Give everyone full control
Use the folder name as DFS root
Create 2 more folders for links
Share them & everyone full control

Start >p>admin tools>DFS
Right click on DFS
New root
Select domain root
Domain name
Browse the server DC
Next mention the root name
Browse the folder to share
Next – finish. Implementing DFS links 

On DC
Create 2 folders.
Share them & give full control permission
On Member Server also same process
On DC
Start > P>Admin tools>DFS>right click on DFS
New link
Link name (e.g. Germany)
Browse the share folder from DC
Ok
Create all four links two from DC & two from member server
Accessing the resources (links): 

Either on DC or member server
\\domain name\DFS root name
ex: \\zoom.com\DFS root
Implementing of DFS target: 

On Dc
Open DFs
Right click on DFs root
Select new root target
Browse server name >next
Browse folder to share
Next>finish
Replication: 

After configuring the target we can configure the replication between DFS root and DFS target.
And this can be scheduled.
Types of replication topologies:
Ring topology
Hub & spoke topology
Mesh topology
Configuring replication between DFS root & target. 

On DC
Open DFS
Right click on the DFS root
Configure replication>next
Select topology
Finish