DFS Migration Steps

Question

DFS Migration Steps

Marcus Wong Theen Nam 1,146

Currently I have a DFS namespace setup with the following:

Namespace: Domain-wide (\mydomain.com\share)
Folder: SharedFolder1
Folder Targets: \FileServer1\SharedFolder1, \FileServer2\SharedFolder1, \FileServer3\SharedFolder1

All these file servers are located in different site and has DFS Replication enabled. I would like to migrate FileServer1 to new office (also a new AD site) without changing the DFS Namespace. May I know is the below steps correct?

Install DFS on new file server and add it into DFS namespace of \SharedFolder1
Robocopy the data to new file server
Remove original server as DFS folder target from \SharedFolder1
Run last time robocopy to sync up all changes

Appreciate if anyone could advise me if these steps are good to go, or is there anything wrong with these?

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Answer 1

Leon Laude 86,026

Hi @Marcus Wong Theen Nam ,

The above mentioned steps are correct, I would however recommend you to enable your new DFS Namespace server first and then disable your old new DFS Namespace server before removing it. This is only to be on the safe side, let it be disabled for like a week, and once it has been disabled for a week you can safely remove it, this is more as a precaution.

It is recommended to perform the last robocopy syncronization copy with the latest changes during a time period when as little users as possible are working with the files within your DFS Namespace, for example during a maintenance window or a weekend perhaps.

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If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you!

Best regards,
Leon

Marcus Wong Theen Nam 1,146 Reputation points

2021-09-10T07:27:17.37+00:00
Hi @Leon Laude

Thanks for the information. So perhaps the following should be ok after adding your comments into the steps?

Bring up new file server and install DFS Namespace and DFS Replication

Add new file server as DFS Namespace in DFS Root

Add new file server as DFS Namespace in \SharedFolder1

Disable the new file server target folder referrals

Robocopy folders and files to new file server

During cutover, disable the old DFS namespace server and run one last time of robocopy to sync all the changes

Enable new file server DFS Namespace folder referrals of \SharedFolder1

Configure or add this new file server into the existing replication group

After one week, remove old file server from DFS namespace server list if no user complaint

Thank you.
Leon Laude 86,026 Reputation points

2021-09-10T07:29:31.453+00:00

Sounds good, should do the job :-)
Marcus Wong Theen Nam 1,146 Reputation points

2021-09-10T08:14:36.093+00:00

Cool. One last question, if I decided to keep the old file server then I can just add in new file server as DFS Namespace server in root and folder. And then just do 1 time of robocopy for initial seeding and then enable replication group for two ways replication will do is it?
Leon Laude 86,026 Reputation points

2021-09-10T08:21:13.613+00:00

That's correct, it's fairly simple adding a new file server, it is of course possible to do without the initial seeding but it is by far faster by doing a manual robocopy first and then let the DFS Replication take over.
Marcus Wong Theen Nam 1,146 Reputation points

2021-09-10T08:37:12.297+00:00

@Leon Laude ,

Thanks a lot for your information! I will do the migration according to those steps.
Leon Laude 86,026 Reputation points

2021-09-10T08:37:42.617+00:00

You're welcome, good luck!

Answer 2

Limitless Technology 39,916

Hello Marcus,

The steps you have mentioned, seem fine to me. but it is essential to have a look at your DFS namespace server. just disable your old server after enabling your new Namespace server. leave it for a while before removing it, which enables you to execute your process with any removal issues as the new DFS namespace will settle on your system process.

On an important note, in order to sync all changes run robocopy.

Hope this answers all your queries, if not please do repost back.
If an Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it : )

Marcus Wong Theen Nam 1,146 Reputation points

2021-09-10T12:07:19.093+00:00

Hello @Limitless Technology ,

You mean just disable the old namespace server for root and folder after I have done all the robocopy right?

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DFS Migration Steps

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