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Article ID: 947726 - Last Review: July 10, 2009 - Revision: 2.0

How to use the Backup program to prestage data before DFSR synchronization in Windows Server

View products that this article applies to.
Note This article also applies to the following products:
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter x64
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition x64
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition x64
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter x64
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition x64
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition

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INTRODUCTION

Distributed File System (DFS) replication is a new technology that has been included in Microsoft Windows Server starting in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2. Some Microsoft TechNet articles discuss the concept of prestaging to reduce network traffic during the initial synchronization of DFS data. Whether data that is located on each replication partner is considered the same depends on the hashing algorithm that is applied to the file, to the file permissions (discretionary access control lists), and to the file audit properties (system access control lists).

The hashes of prestaged data are affected by the following:
  • Permissions
  • Audit properties
  • Inheritance
  • The copy tool, such as Robocopy.exe or Xcopy.exe, that is used
Because the possible combinations of these factors are so wide and varied, predicting the success of prestaging operations is very difficult. However, the Backup program in Windows Server is a reliable mechanism to prestage data.

This article discusses how to use the Backup program to prestage data. This article includes a method that you can use to verify prestaged data before the initial DFS replication (DFSR) synchronization.
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MORE INFORMATION

How to use the Backup program to prestage DFSR data

  1. Back up the data by using the Backup program. You can back up to tape or to a file.
  2. Transfer the backup to the destination server.
  3. Restore the backup to the destination server. The hashes that are computed by DFSR for each server should be identical for files that have not changed.
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How to verify DFSR hashes before the initial synchronization

Microsoft provides scripts to produce a .csv file. The .csv file lists the files that exist under a root level folder together with their hashes.

To obtain the scripts, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];CNTACTMS (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;%5Bln%5D;cntactms)
Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.
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Setup instructions

  1. Extract batch files and scripts to a temporary folder.
  2. Copy the latest checked version of the Dfsr.exe file that is available from the latest checked service pack into the same folder.
  3. Rename the checked Dfsr.exe file to Dfsrut.exe.
  4. Run the following command at a command line in a temporary folder:
    go root_level_folder
    Note root_level_folder is the root level folder that contains data that has been prestaged.

    After you run this command, the script creates a .csv file in a Results folder in the temporary folder. The .csv file will open on the desktop.
  5. To determine whether prestaging has occurred correctly, use the Windiff.exe tool, or other similar tools, to compare .csv files from each server that has a copy of the prestaged data. For example, the hashes should match.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition (32-Bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter x64 Edition
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
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Keywords: 
kbexpertiseinter kbhowto kbinfo KB947726
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