Distributed File Systems; Dfs Namespaces; Dfs-N Hierarchy; Enable Dfs Namespaces - Seagate Business Storage Windows Server 4-Bay NAS Administration Manual

9. Distributed File Systems

9. Distributed File Systems
A distributed file system (DFS) helps you maintain and share data on the network. Important
functions such as data security, permissions, and accessibility are integrated into the DFS.

DFS Namespaces

During the course of a day, a user might need to access multiple files stored on many servers
connected to your LAN or WAN. To find all the files spread about the network, the user hunts
through a long list of shares.
Windows DFS Namespace (DFS-N) allows you to create a single virtual space that simplifies
access for everyone. Although you configure DFS-N on the Seagate server, the shares can
come from any server on the network.
Namespaces are visible to all users on the network. However, a user must have access rights
to the shares to view and edit content.

DFS-N hierarchy

Before adding a namespace, you must understand the DFS-N hierarchy.
• Namespace server (in this case, the Seagate server)
• Namespace root (\\Seagate server\root)
You can create multiple folders within a root folder.
• Folder seen by user (\\Seagate server\root\folder)
Each folder in the root has its own target folder.
• Share mounted as a target folder (\\Seagate server\root\folder\target folder)
The target folder is a share that has already been created. You can also create new
shares.

Enable DFS namespaces

1. In Server Manager, select File and Storage Services.
2. Select Servers.
3. In the server list, select the server on which to enable DFS.
4. Select Tasks > Add Roles and Features.
5. Use the Add Roles and Features wizard to enable DFS.
6. Under Installation Type, select Role-based or feature-based installation and click
Next.
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