DFS to migrate to new file server? 1

[Timhi]

Hi,

I am migrating file servers to a new 2003 Enterprise Server from a Server 2000 box. What would be the best way to copy the files over without any down time?

Is there a way to do it so client shortcuts to server shares still work?

The three options I've heard are:
1: File Server Migration Toolkit
2: DFS - set up namespace, replicate, then take old server out of namespace.
3: Robocopy

Would any or all of these 3 preserve user shortcuts??


Thanks in advance!

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

If you move it to another named server, you will have to make a DNS CNAME record to have the old name point to the new name of the new file server.

Cliff, MCSE/MCSA/MCTS/CCNA/VCP/CCA

http://www.samtechconsulting.com

 

[58sniper]

I vote for DFS. It allows you to add servers to the mix later - such as for remote offices, as well as resolving the naming issue once and for all. You just point login scripts to the namespace. You can move things around all you want and not have to worry about mapped drives.

One word of advice - make sure you're going to the R2 version of 2003, as the DFS in that version ROCKS.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[Timhi]

Great! Thanks for the reply. It will be running R2. I also plan to use logon scripts through Group Policy to map drives for users. Should I set up DFS first and map the drives to the DFS namespace? Do I need to change those mappings at all when I take the old server off of the namespace or will they stay the same?

Thanks.

 

[58sniper]

Map to the namespace. As long as you have another server in the namespace, removing one shouldn't matter.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[xmsre]

FSMT will setup the DFS namespace for you.

 

[Timhi]

Thanks for all the help with this. I don't know if I am completely stupid or what, but I can't get it to do exactly what I want.

(BTW, both file servers need to be running 2003 R2 in order to take advantage of DFSR? My old one is running 2000, so I am stuck with FRS replication)

Anyways... currently I have a shortcut to \\DataOld\Share. I want to create a namespace called \\DataOld and put the old server and the new server in that namespace. After the data is replicated to the new DataNew server, I want to take the DataOld server out, so the \\DataOld\Share shortcut will still work, but will physically point to \\DataNew\Share.

If I create a domain namespace, I can't get that shortcut to work as DFS creates \\domain.com\Share instead of \\dataold\share.

Should the DFS host server be the old server or the new server? Do I need to change the server names?

Remember I'm doing this only to migrate servers. FSMT is an all-or-nothing kind of thing so it's risky. I want to be able to do things gradually.

Thanks.