Odd DFS Problem

[kpham]

I have an interesting DFS problem that I hope someone can shed some light on. I created a Stand-Alone DFS root on a Win2K server that has the latest service packs and security fixes. On this DFS root I created some local folders as well as some DFS links to several other file servers. After rebooting the server I tried to access the DFS root from some Win2K Pro and XP clients. I was able to access the local subfolders in the DFS root, but when I opened up the DFS links to the other file servers (Example: \\DFSServer\LinkToHR\) all I get are empty folders. I am able to access the file servers directly using the UNC path names (e.g. \\HRserver\SharedFiles\).

To troubleshoot I created a new Stand-Alone DFS root on another Win2K server and made some DFS links to the same file servers. I had no problems accessing the the DFS links on the new Win2K server(also up-to-date with latest patches & SPs).

Here are some of the things I noticed:

1. When I right click on the DFS Shares on the DFS server that is working correctly (let's call it DFSServer2) and bring up the Properties there would be a DFS tab listing the referral UNC path for the share. On the DFS Shares from the bad server (DFSServer) there were no DFS tabs.

2. After trying to access the \\DFSServer\LinkToHR\ share I ran the dfsutil /pktinfo command from the client but it returned with no referalls. I did the same thing for DFSServer2 and it did come back with some referral information.

3. From the DFSServer, when I browse to \\DFSServer\LinkToHR\ I had no problem. I was able to access the other file servers' folders through the DFS links. Even the DFS tab in the folder Properties was magically there when I'm browsing from DFSServer itself.

4. From all the XP and Win2K Pro clients that I tried browsing to the DFS Shares on DFSServer I get a System Event Log error MRxSmb EventID 3019 "The redirector failed to determine the connection type." every time I tried to access any of the DFS Shares on DFSServer.

5. I was able to browse the DFS shares on DFSServer from a couple of Windows NT servers without problems.

I have tried removing and and recreating the DFS root on DFSServer several times (even ran dfsutil /clean) but was still unable to make it work. I couldn't find any info on how to uninstall and reinstall DFS since DFS is a core function of Win2K. If any one has any tip/suggestions for me to try I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[DiGGiTY]

I'd try several solutions to identify the exact nature of the problem. It could be a DFS metadata problem, or that name resolution on your clients that cannot access the DFS Root are configured improperly.

I'd use the DFSUTIL /RemRoot and /Addroot first:

DFSUtil /Remroot:DFSName /Server:rootSrv /Share:rootShare

DFSutil /Addroot:DFSName /Server:rootSrv /Share:rootShare

The 3019 occurs when you map the same drive to the same share on the same PC more than once. Mapping a drive to the same PC from where it is mapped does not cause these warning, but instead mapping it more than once does. Windows would realize two things when mapping the drive the second time:

-This drive letter already exists.

-The share where the "new" mapping wants to point to is already mapped to a drive letter. Hence, the redirector fails to determine the connection type.

To conclude, this is a logic error, not a system error. This error can be safely ignored.