How to back up the Windows Distributed File System (DFS / DFSN / DFSR) with Backup Exec

Problem

How to back up the Windows Distributed File System (DFS) and Windows Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) with Backup Exec

Solution

DFS (Distributed File System) Namespaces is a role service in Windows Server that enables the grouping of shared folders located on different servers into one or more logically structured namespaces. This makes it possible to give users a virtual view of shared folders, where a single path leads to files located on multiple servers.

DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication are a part of the File and Storage Services role. The management tools for DFS (DFS Management, the DFS Namespaces module for Windows PowerShell, and command-line tools) are installed separately as part of the Remote Server Administration Tools.

The Microsoft DFS Feature requires protection of configuration settings and file system data for which Backup Exec uses different data protection methods.

• Standalone DFS or DFSN (Distributed File System Namespace) Technology Configurations are protected by a System State Registry Backup of the server hosting the DFS Root. Domain DFS or DFSN Configurations are protected by a System State Registry Backup of the target system, and an Active Directory Backup of the Domain Controller that hosts the DFS Root. In addition, target shares on remote servers must also be protected by a System State Registry Backup.
  
  Note:  Active Directory Granular Restore Technology [ADRA] cannot be used to restore domain DFS or DFSN configurations.

• Distributed File System Namespace (DFSN) Technology Data with configurations that do not use Microsoft Replication Technologies must be protected by performing a File System Volume Backup of the shared data on the target server.

For configurations that use Microsoft Replication Technologies, see the following:

• To protect DFSR Configurations, run a System State Registry and Active Directory backup of the Domain Controller that hosts the replicated data. 

IMPORTANT:  Active Directory Granular Restore Technology [ADRA] cannot be used to restore DFSR configurations.

• For configurations that use DFSR Data, protect the replicated data by running a Shadow Copy Components - User Data - Distributed File System Replication backup of the replicated data on any server that is hosting the replicated data.

NOTE: During a backup, Windows writes the following event ID messages to the application event log of a DFSR host:

Event ID=1102

Severity=Informational

The DFS Replication service has temporarily stopped replication

because another application is performing a backup or restore

operation. Replication will resume after the backup or restore

operation has finished.

Event ID=1104

Severity=Informational

The DFS Replication service successfully restarted replication

after a backup or restore operation.

Note:  During a restore, there are several Windows events that are created - see cross-referenced article for DFSR restore.

For more information on Distributed File System Replication, review the following Microsoft TechNet Article:

DFS Replication FAQ
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/dfs-replication/dfsr-faq