How to Configure DFS Replication Between Two File Servers

Applies to: Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025.

DFS Replication synchronizes changed blocks between member servers. It is not a substitute for backup and it does not provide simultaneous multi-master application database support.

Storage changes can cause data loss or access outages. Use tested backups, maintenance windows and representative access tests. Managed Windows VPS services are available at networkmanager.info.

Prerequisites

• Install DFS Replication on both servers.
• Create identical data folders.
• Verify AD, DNS and time.
• Pre-seed large data sets when appropriate.

Procedure

Step 1: Install role

Run on each member.

Install-WindowsFeature FS-DFS-Replication,RSAT-DFS-Mgmt-Con

Step 2: Create replication group

Define a multipurpose group.

New-DfsReplicationGroup -GroupName 'Finance Data'

Step 3: Add members

Add both servers.

Add-DfsrMember -GroupName 'Finance Data' -ComputerName 'FS01','FS02'

Step 4: Create replicated folder

Define logical folder.

New-DfsReplicatedFolder -GroupName 'Finance Data' -FolderName 'Finance'

Step 5: Create connections

Add bidirectional topology.

Add-DfsrConnection -GroupName 'Finance Data' -SourceComputerName 'FS01' -DestinationComputerName 'FS02'
Add-DfsrConnection -GroupName 'Finance Data' -SourceComputerName 'FS02' -DestinationComputerName 'FS01'

Step 6: Set memberships

Map each local path and designate the primary member for initial sync.

Set-DfsrMembership -GroupName 'Finance Data' -FolderName 'Finance' -ComputerName 'FS01' -ContentPath 'D:\Shares\Finance' -PrimaryMember $true -Force
Set-DfsrMembership -GroupName 'Finance Data' -FolderName 'Finance' -ComputerName 'FS02' -ContentPath 'D:\Shares\Finance' -Force

Verification

Check configuration and DFS Replication events before exposing the second target.

Get-DfsReplicationGroup -GroupName 'Finance Data'
Get-DfsrMembership -GroupName 'Finance Data' -FolderName 'Finance'
Get-DfsrBacklog -GroupName 'Finance Data' -FolderName 'Finance' -SourceComputerName FS01 -DestinationComputerName FS02

Rollback and recovery

Disable memberships or remove connections before removing the replicated folder or group. Preserve both data copies until convergence and backup are verified.

Operational notes

Do not use DFSR for live SQL databases, Outlook PST files or other workloads that the vendor does not support on replicated file storage.

Official references

• Microsoft File Server documentation
• Microsoft DFS documentation

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