DFS (Distributed file system) (distributed file system) by Microsoft and a server service provided with the Windows of 2000 servers and/or Windows of 2003 servers is more offered. The Distributed file system permits it to system administrators and users to facilitate the administration and the access to files which are physically distributed in a Windows network.

With DFS distributed files for users can appear in such a way on several servers, as if these would have been stored in the network at the same place. Users do not need to know and indicate the actual physical storage location of files, in order to be able to access these. DFS is supported also by Samba (free SMB server).

The topology of the DFS covers a DFS trunk, one or more DFS linkages as well as one or more approved DFS files and/or - Replikate, to which the respective DFS linkages point.

Kinds of DFS trunks

A DFS trunk can be put on on FAT or NTFS partitions by Windows 2000.

With providing a DFS trunk alternatively more independently or a domain-based DFS trunk can be furnished.

Independent DFS trunk

• Active directory is not used
• Can have no approved DFS files on master level
• A limited hierarchy exhibits: can have only one level of DFS linkages

Domain-based DFS trunk

• Must a member server of the domain as host have
• Its DFS topology is published automatically in the Active directory
• Can have approved DFS files on master level
• No limited hierarchy exhibits: can have several levels of DFS linkages

Related links

• Microsoft documentation

• DFS running off configuration demo (Macromedia Flash necessarily)

Articles in category "Distributed file system (Microsoft)"

We found here 18 articles.

Related Websites

We found here 4 related websites.

• Distributed File System Technology Center
  Distributed File System (DFS) and File Replication Services (FRS) help simplify access to files and folders, system maintenance, help enhance availability ...


• Distributed File System: Frequently Asked Questions
  This article contains frequently asked questions and answers about the Distributed File System (DFS) for the Windows Server 2003 family and includes details ...


• Microsoft Distributed File System : [Microsoft Windows NT Server ...
  Download Micorosoft's Distributed File System Administrator's Guide for information about, installing and administering Dfs.


• Simplifying Infrastructure Complexity with Windows Distributed ...
  Microsoft Word file Updated: Dec 8, 2003 ... Distributed File System (DFS) is a strategic storage management solution that gives administrators a more ...