How to backup the Windows Distributed File System (DFS) and File Replication Server (FRS) Data with Backup Exec

Problem

How to backup the Windows Distributed File System (DFS) and File Replication Server (FRS) Data with Backup Exec

Solution

Namespace Technologies include DFS Namespace (DFSN) for Microsoft Windows 2003 SP1 and above, and DFS for Microsoft Windows 2003. The Namespace Technologies provide a virtual file system view of grouped shared folders from distributed servers.
 

Replication Technologies include DFS Replication (DFSR) for Microsoft Windows 2003 R2 Server and above, and File Replication Service (FRS) for Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. The Replication Technologies provide scheduled replication, bandwidth throttling, compression, and conflict resolution.
 

The Microsoft DFS Feature requires protection of configuration settings and file system data for which Backup Exec uses different data protection methods.
 

• Standalone DFS or DFSN (Distributed File System Namespace) Technology Configurations are protected by a System State Registry Backup of the server hosting the DFS Root. Domain DFS or DFSN Configurations are protected by a System State Registry Backup of the target system, and an Active Directory Backup of the Domain Controller that hosts the DFS Root. In addition, target shares on remote servers must also be protected by a System State Registry Backup.
  
  NOTE:  Active Directory Granular Restore Technology [ADRA] cannot be used to restore domain DFS or DFSN configurations.
  

• Distributed File System Namespace (DFSN) Technology Data with configurations that do not use Microsoft Replication Technologies must be protected by performing a File System Volume Backup of the shared data on the target server.

For configurations that use Microsoft Replication Technologies, see the following:

• To protect DFSR and FRS Configurations, run a System State Registry and Active Directory backup of the Domain Controller that hosts the replicated data. 

IMPORTANT:  Active Directory Granular Restore Technology [ADRA] cannot be used to restore DFSR or FRS configurations.
 

• For configurations that use DFSR Data, protect the replicated data by running a Shadow Copy Components - User Data - Distributed File System Replication backup of the replicated data on any server that is hosting the replicated data.
• For configurations that use FRS, protect the replicated data by running a File System Volume Backup of the replicated data on any server that is hosting the replicated data.
   

NOTE:  The information listed above only pertains to Windows 2003 Systems.  Windows 2000 Systems that host the DFS Root must be backed up via User-defined Selections.  For more information on this, review the following:
 

How to create a User-defined Selection in Backup Exec for Windows Servers

 http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH23840
 

 

For more information on Distributed File System Replication, review the following Microsoft TechNet Article:
 

Distributed File System Replication: Frequently Asked Questions 

 http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/f9b98a0f-c1ae-4a9f-9724-80c679596e6b1033.mspx?mfr=true