Managing DFS Replication: Directories & Replicated Files

Managing DFS Replication:
Directories & Replicated Files
Instructions on how to setup, remove and
manage directories within DFSR.
Author:
John Wieda, MCTS: SCOM, SCCM, SCVMM
SystemCenterSpartan.wordpress.com
Version: 1.00
October 2009
Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
10/27/2009
1.0
PURPOSE
1.1
This document will provide instructions on how to setup and remove directories from
DFS Replication.
**Assumption: Server OS installed is Windows Server 2008 or newer.**
2.0
SCOPE
2.1
This document will compliment a current working DFSR environment if there is a need to
add in Windows Server 2008 (or newer) operating system with the DFSR Role installed.
2.2
3.0
This process applies to individuals with granted permissons to setup, remove and
manage DFS Replication.
ASSUMPTIONS
3.1
This document will assume that DFSR has already been built out with a namespace and
directory structure and naming convention.
3.2
It is assumed that Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows Server 2008 or newer will be
used for DFSR (mixed-mode can exist with varying OSes being used; ‘mixed-mode’ is
my term and not Microsoft’s).
3.3
It is assumed that the individual(s) managing DFSR have read through documentation
on how to install, setup, remove and manage DFSR.
3.4
For the purpose of this documentation, the Deploy directory will be used to replicate OS
images to be used for Operating System Deployment (OSD) via MDT 2010. The
Software directory will be used to replicate packaged software to be used within a Task
Sequence tied into OSD.
Your directory naming convention will be different.
**MDT 2010 and OSD will not be covered in this documentation.**
4.0
PREREQUISITES
4.1
Install the following Roles onto the new server to run the DFSR services:
4.2
File Server
Distributed File System: DFS Namespaces & DFS Replication (verify both
services are set to start automatically)
Create and share the necessary directories: D:\Deploy$ and D:\Software on the server
where the Roles from the previous step were installed (make sure there is proper disk
space).
**Please note that Deploy is a hidden share.**
4.3
Verify the Share Permissions for each directory as follows:
Everyone: Read
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Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
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DFS-Mod-Group: Change, Read
4.4
Verify the Security Permissions for each directory as follows:
DFS-Mod-Group: Modify (other’s will be selected by default)
Administrators (servername\Administrators): Full Control
Authenticated Users: Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, Read
System: Full Control
5.0
PROCEDURE
5.1
Configure created folders for DFSR
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5.1.1
Launch the DFS Management console (Administrator Tools).
5.1.2
From the Namespaces view, right click to add the \\northbranch.com\DFSR
namespace:
5.1.3
Next we will add the Deploy and Software directories created in Step 4.2 to the
\\northbranch.com\DFSR Namespace.
Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
10/27/2009
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5.1.4
Expand the added namespace, select Deploy – right click and select Add
Folder Target enter the path for the New Folder Target – the new management
server.
5.1.5
Now we will do the same for the Software Folder.
5.1.6
Select Software – right click and select Add Folder Target for New Folder
Target – the new management server.
5.1.7
Next, we will create a New Replication Group for the Deploy folder.
Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
10/27/2009
5.1.8
From the Replication view, right click New Replication Group…
5.1.9
This will launch the New Replication Group Wizard.
5.1.10 Replication Group Type: verify that Multipurpose replication group is
selected and click Next >
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5.1.11 Name and Domain: enter the Name of replication group: Deploy (domain will
be automatically filled in; i.e.: northbranch.com)
5.1.12 Replication Group Members: select Add… and then add in your DFSR servers
***If the DFS Replication service is not started on one of the DFSR servers, you
will be prompted to have it automatically started at the end of the wizard.
5.1.13 Topology Selection: leave the default selection (Full Mesh) and select Next >
5.1.14 Replication Group Schedule and Bandwidth: leave the default selection
(continuously) and select Next >
5.1.15 Primary Member: if this is a new replication group, then select a highly available
server to be the Primary Member.
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5.1.16 Folders to Replicate: select Add… and a wizard will launch to assist in adding
the necessary folders to replicate.
5.1.17 Select Browse… and the navigate to the Deploy directory and select OK:
5.1.18 You can keep the folder name based on the shared path or Use custom name.
You can also modify the Permissions >> (if needed).
5.1.19 Local Path of Deploy of Other Members: select Edit… this will launch a
window which will enable you to Enable the folder on remote servers to replicate
the data with…
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5.1.20 Select Enabled and then Browse… and then navigate to the Deploy directory
and select OK:
5.1.21 Review Settings and Create Replication Group: Review and select Create.
5.1.22 Confirmation: select Close once completed:
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5.1.23 Replication Delay: tick the box to not show again and then select OK.
5.1.24 Next, complete Steps 5.1.7 – 5.1.22 to create a New Replication Group for the
Software folder.
5.2
Modifying Staging Quota
5.2.1
The default Staging Quota for each replicated folder is 4.00GBs, this will most
likely not be enough space for the Deploy directory.
The next steps will walk you through modifying the Staging Quota
5.2.2
Highlight the Deploy Replication Group, under Replcation; select one of the
server(s) that you just added, right click and select Properties \ Staging and
then modify the Quota (in megabytes) to 14096:
***You can adjust this size to your needs, but keep in mind that disk space will be set aside to be
used for the Staging Folder.
5.2.3
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Adjust the Staging Quota for any additional servers within the Deploy
Replication Group.
Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
10/27/2009
5.3
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5.2.4
You may have to adjust this directory or other replicated groups later on as you
add more files (i.e.: WIM).
5.2.5
If over time you decide to change the Staging Quota back to its original size,
you will need to restart the DFS Replication service on the server to force the
purging of replicated data.
5.2.6
If data isn’t replicating, check the Event Viewer – DFS Replication log for any
errors:
Steps to Uninstall / Remove Management Server from DFSR
5.3.1
Depending on the geographic location of the management server being
decommissioned, log onto one of the Namespace servers and launch the DFS
Management console.
5.3.2
From the Namespaces view, right click to add the namespace, in our example, it
would be: \\northbranch.com\DFSR:
5.3.3
Expand the added Namespace: \\northbranch.com\DFSR, and select Deploy.
Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
10/27/2009
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5.3.4
From within the Folder Targets view, right click on the management server to be
decommissioned as a DFSR Member and select Delete:
5.3.5
Select Yes to Confirm Remove Folder Target:
5.3.6
Next we will Delete the Software Folder Target.
5.3.7
Select Software under Namespace:\\northbranch.com/DFSR and Delete the
management server to be decommissioned as a DFSR Member:
Managing DFS Replication: Directories and Replicated Files
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5.3.8
Review the Confirm Delete Member prompt and then select Yes.
5.3.9
Finally, Remove the following Roles on the management server:
File Server
Distributed File System: DFS Namespaces & DFS Replication
**The final step maybe different if the Windows Operating System is not
Windows Server 2008 or later.**
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