DFS Root server gone forever!

[Anthony]

Hi Everyone

Months ago we set up an initial domain DFS root to
replicate a small folder round a few DCs to test out DFS.
We then forgot all about the root DFS server. The server
was removed (DCPromo'd OK) from the domain, and the object
deleted from AD.

Now the replication still works on this test share, but we
get 13562 errors all the time, and can't start the DFS
snap-in, as there is no domain DFS root anymore.

I really just want to get rid of the entire DFS
configuration and start again. Does anyone know what to
do to nuke the DFS config and start again without hurting
the SYSVOL replication? Technet only talks about recovery
of member objects, but not specifically about the root DFS
object, or about starting again from scratch.

It's on a production domain, so I don't want to make
things worse by guessing.

Thanks

Anthony

 

[Guest]

Hi,

You could try using ADSI edit and digging around

Regards,

Tim

 

[Anthony]

Hi Tim

I said no guessing!!! ;-) Besides, I already had a look
with that tool and it looks pretty scary.

Someone must know what I have to do!!!

Anthony

 

[Matt Nowell]

Anthony,

Check out a tool called DFSUTIL. You should be able to sort out what you
need from the command line help, but you'd use:

dfsutil /remroot:<dfsrootname>

You may also want to check out the /CLEAN option to make sure your friendly
DFS Root server is spic and span. The DFSUTIL comes with the support tools,
but get the updated version from:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...c3-c7a3-4b5b-9ff1-fd01b0203dc1&DisplayLang=en

Hope that helps!

Matt Nowell

 

[Anthony]

file_system group readers please read the full thread.

Well I used DFSUTIL to add a root server, which enabled me
to start up the DFS snap-in. I then removed the DFS root
altogether. (I want to start again from scratch.)
However, looking ADU&C, I still see the old DFS domain
root in System/File Replication Service/DFS Volumes (along
with Domain System Volume (SYSVOL) as you would expect).

So here it is: Can I just right-click it and delete it
from ADU&C or do I have a bunch of other crap left over in
Active Directory that I just haven't found yet? BTW: I
tried dfsutil /clean:mydc but that didn't help.

Any answers much appreiciated...

Thanks

Anthony

 

[Mukul Gupta [MSFT]]

Anthony,

DFS doesn't do replication. It uses FRS to do replication. DFS GUI is a way
to set replication on DFS targets using FRS. So even if you have removed the
DFS root, the FRS replication is not cleaned up as you removed the machine
without properly removing the DFS root.

Let me check on this (how to solve your problem) and get back to you.

--
Thanks
Mukul [MSFT]

PS: Please post DFS related queries in newsgroup
microsoft.public.server.dfs_frs. Please use "DFS" in subject to make it
immediately noticeable.

PS: Please find latest dfsutil.exe for Win2003 (updated) at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...C3-C7A3-4B5B-9FF1-FD01B0203DC1&displaylang=en

Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights

 

[Richard Chinn [MSFT]]

FRS stores configuration information in AD, so if this information is not
cleaned up, FRS can continue replication even if the corresponding DFS AD
objects are cleaned up. This cleanup should be handled if you stop
replication in the DFS GUI or if you delete the link/root targets (or get
rid of the link/root altogether). If this doesn't work, you will need to
clean up the FRS AD objects manually.

The following KB article describes the AD objects used by FRS.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;296183

--Richard

Please post FRS related questions to microsoft.public.windows.server.dfs_frs
and prefix the subject line with "FRS:" to make it easier to spot. Note
that FRS is used to replicate SYSVOL on domain controllers and DFS root and
link targets.

For additional FRS resources, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/frs.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Anthony,

DFS doesn't do replication. It uses FRS to do replication. DFS GUI is a way
to set replication on DFS targets using FRS. So even if you have removed the
DFS root, the FRS replication is not cleaned up as you removed the machine
without properly removing the DFS root.

Let me check on this (how to solve your problem) and get back to you.

--
Thanks
Mukul [MSFT]

PS: Please post DFS related queries in newsgroup
microsoft.public.server.dfs_frs. Please use "DFS" in subject to make it
immediately noticeable.

PS: Please find latest dfsutil.exe for Win2003 (updated) at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...C3-C7A3-4B5B-9FF1-FD01B0203DC1&displaylang=en

Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights

file_system group readers please read the full thread.

Well I used DFSUTIL to add a root server, which enabled me
to start up the DFS snap-in. I then removed the DFS root
altogether. (I want to start again from scratch.)
However, looking ADU&C, I still see the old DFS domain
root in System/File Replication Service/DFS Volumes (along
with Domain System Volume (SYSVOL) as you would expect).

So here it is: Can I just right-click it and delete it
from ADU&C or do I have a bunch of other crap left over in
Active Directory that I just haven't found yet? BTW: I
tried dfsutil /clean:mydc but that didn't help.

Any answers much appreiciated...

Thanks

Anthony