Target priority

Applies To: Windows Server 2003 R2

When this option is available: Availablewhen the DFS Management snap-in connects to a namespace server that is running a version of Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 R2.

Supported namespace types: Domain-based (folder targets and root targets); stand-alone (folder targets only).

Supported namespace server operating systems: Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and Windows Server 2003 R2.

Supported clients: All supported namespace clients.

Where configured: Namespace server properties, Advanced tab; Folder Target properties, Advanced tab.

By assigning target priority for individual root targets or folder targets, you can specify whether a target server appears first or last in a referral. Assigning target priority is useful in many scenarios, such as "hot standby" scenarios where one server is considered the server of last resort. In this scenario, you can specify that the standby server always appears last in referrals, and clients will fail over to this server only if all the other servers fail or become unavailable due to network outages. If multiple servers are configured for always first (or last), then those servers will be sorted based on the overall prioritization (random or lowest cost).

To change target priority, see Set target priority to override referral ordering.