DFS server preference?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason Meyer
  • Start date Start date
J

Jason Meyer

With DFS do clients try to find the closest server automatically? Or do the
go for the master, if the master is off it tries one of the others. My
situation is that clients at remote sites(connected via cable modem) are
connecting to the DFS master and not the local replica. The share is where
I put the admin installs of apps I deploy via GPO, and it takes a bit longer
when trying to pull something like OfficeXP over a cable modem. Is there a
way to make clients hit the local replica? Thank for the info.


Jason
 
With DFS do clients try to find the closest server automatically?

Yes. DFS is (one of?) the only service besides DC stuff that uses
SITES.
Or do the go for the master, if the master is off it tries one of the
Click to expand...
others.

There is NO master in DFS -- it is multi-mastered.

Yes, I know that the DFS MMC has a "set Master" button when you
turn on automatic replication but that is only for the INITIAL replication;
once all DFS replicas are synchonized, they are ALL masters of the
DFS files (master = accepts changes and replicates TO the others.)
My
situation is that clients at remote sites(connected via cable modem) are
connecting to the DFS master and not the local replica.
Click to expand...

Do you have Sites configured in AD Sites and Services? Are the correct
Servers listed in the appropriate Sites? (Right click and move)
The share is where
I put the admin installs of apps I deploy via GPO, and it takes a bit longer
when trying to pull something like OfficeXP over a cable modem. Is there a
way to make clients hit the local replica? Thank for the info.
Click to expand...

No, but they will PREFER the one in the nearest site IF YOU setup Sites
and subnets (with Site Links.)
 
Note that improvements were made to the DFS server selection algorithms in
2003. I'd encourage you to check out the 2003 DFS documentation.

~Eric
 
Do the computers need to be associated with a site locationin ADUC?

As I understand it this is done by the Site subnets -- IF YOU
setup your sites correctly.

A computer is "in a site" if it's CURRENT address matches the
ranges on that site.

Usually "client only" physical locations can be in the same site
as the nearest DCs/DFS/etc. servers, but if you have multiple
connections (and site links) from those clients locations to other
sites and want to control it differently you can set the clients in
a true "client only site" so they will try to follow the site link
cost strategy you deployed.
 
I see what you mean. I have setup subnets for each site.Clients are assigned
IPs of that subnet via DHCP so all should be well. Thanks for the info.


Jason
 
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