How to Cluster DFS Replicated Resources on Windows Server 2008 R2 (Part III)
On How to Cluster DFS Replicated Resources on Windows Server 2008 R2 (Part I) we installed the file server role, the failover clustering feature and we brought online our quorum disk. On How to Cluster DFS Replicated Resources on Windows Server 2008 R2 (Part II) we saw how to create our cluster, assign resources and cluster the file server role; to prepare everything to properly cluster DFS-R shares. So, now lets see how add shared folders and make them part of our DFS-R group.
Add Shared Folders to the Cluster
Now that we have created the cluster, configured the quorum, added the storage and clustered the file server service; it is time to add the first shared folder (that we should have previously replicated and verified using RoboCopy). In our case this shared folder will be part of a DFS Replication group and will be synchronized with different file servers within our company.
- From the Failover Cluster Management snap-in, select the File Server service name.
- Click Add a shared folder in the Actions pane; the wizard will open.
- Click Browse to locate the folder to be added to the cluster. Click next.
- Since DFSR folders are very sensitive to changes we will need to keep the NTFS permissions. Click **next.
- Select the share name and don’t forget to add a $ at the end; this will force users to access through the DFS namespace and not directly through the server shares. Click next.
- In the last screen, ensure that Access-based enumeration is disabled. Otherwise, information on the share will not be shown completely. Click next.
- Select the share permissions that better match your scenario. In our case we will be choosing Full Control for admins and Modify for users. Click next.
- As long as our folder will be part of a replication group we will not add it directly to the DFS namespace during this process, so be sure to uncheck Publish the SMB share to a DFS namespace. Click next.
- Click Create to complete the process.
Add Shares to the DFS-R Group
A this point we have clustered our shares, so we just need to add them to the appropriate replication group.To accomplish that task, we need to open the DFS Management Console (dfsmgmt.msc) and expand the replication group where we want to include the shares.
- From the DFS Management Console add the replication group you want to modify (if it is not shown yet) or create a new replication group.
- On the Actions panel click New Member to open the wizard.
- Type your server’s name on the Server field and click Next.
- Select the replication partner by selecting it on the available members and clicking Add button and clicking Next.
- Select** Replication group schedule** or Custom group schedule depending on your needs and click **Next.
- Edit the replication group to set the Membership Status to Enabled and the local folder path on the new member, and click Next.
- Edit the folder sharing settings and click Next.
- Review the settings and click** Finish** to add it as a new member.
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