3.6.0 MxFS for CIFS Administration Guide (5697-7082, December 2007)

Chapter 3: Configure MxFS for CIFS with Matrix File Shares 14

Considerations for Using DFS

When using DFS with MxFS for CIFS, you should be aware of the

following:

• We strongly recommend that domain-based DFS be used. Stand-alone

DFS does not provide fault tolerance on root.

• Shares created on a PSFS filesystem and deployed via DFS must be

under the control of Matrix Server. Use only Matrix File Shares; they

are designed to work properly with DFS and MxFS for CIFS. The

following should not be used:

– CIFS shares created with other Windows applications. These

shares will not be under MxFS for CIFS control.

– Virtual CIFS Servers. These virtual servers are not compatible with

DFS.

• Matrix File Shares must be created before you set up DFS. (See “Add a

Matrix File Share” on page 9.)

DFS Setup

After you have created the appropriate Matrix File Shares, complete the

following steps to set up DFS:

1. Open the DFS MMC snap-in under “Administrative Tools.” Create a

“domain-based” DFS root, dfsroot, in Active Directory. A DFS root

target can be on a PSFS filesystem; however, it must be a different

path/share than the link. (When creating the root, you will need to use

drive letters; attempts to use mount points will fail.) Then create “root

targets” pointing to a CIFS share (for example, Y:\dfsroot shared as

\\clust1-3\dsfroot). Each server should have a target pointing to the

same location on the PSFS filesystem.

2. Add a “New Link” called foo. Then add \\clust1\foo1, \\clust2\foo1,

and \\clust3\foo1 as link targets.