Configuring Distributed File System (DFS) backups with NetWorker

The Distributed File System (DFS) introduced with Microsoft Windows 2000 provides a mechanism for administrators to create logical views of directories and files, regardless of where those files physically reside in the network. Fault tolerance of network storage resources is also possible using DFS.

To ensure consistent and complete backups of your DFS environment, you will need to ensure that a configured schedule backup includes DFS topology information, DFS junctions and DFS destination directories.

The DFS topology information will be dependent on how it is setup.

1. To configure a scheduled backup of DFS ensure that the following are configured within the DFS scheduled group:
• DFS Host Server
• Any computer where remote DFS destination directories reside
• Domain Controller (domain-based DFS only)
2. Enter the following Save Set attributes for the DFS host Client resource:
• The DFS root. E.g. D:\MyDfsRoot
• DFS destination directories that reside on the DFS host. E.g. E:\MyLocalDir
• NB: DFS destination directories are also backed up if you enter the entire volume in the Save Set attribute. E.g. D:\
3. For Registry-based DFS only, include the following SYSTEM save sets in the DFS host server:
• SYSTEM STATE:
• SYSTEM FILES: If VSS is enabled:
• VSS SYSTEM BOOT:
• VSS SYSTEM FILESET:
4. For clients where DFS destination directories reside, enter the following in the Save Set attributes:
• D:\MyRemoteDir
• D:\MyOtherRemoteDir
• D:\
5. For Domain-based DFS only, include the following SYSTEM save sets in the domain controller Save Set attribute:
• SYSTEM STATE:
• SYSTEM FILES: If VSS is enabled:
• VSS SYSTEM BOOT:
• VSS SYSTEM FILESET: