Add a DFS link

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

  1. Open Distributed File System.

  2. In the console tree, click the DFS root.

  3. On the Action menu, click New Link.

  4. Type a name for the new link.

  5. Type a path for the new link or click Browse to select from the list of available shared folders.

  6. Type a comment, if you would like to use it to further identify or describe the link.

  7. Type the duration for which a reference to this link will be cached on a DFS client, then click OK.

Notes

  • In order to make changes to an existing DFS namespace, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the server hosting the namespace. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.

  • To open DFS, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Distributed File System.

  • The folder that you specify as the target must be an existing shared folder.

  • To delete a link, select the link, open the Action menu, and click Delete Link.

  • If you later delete a target from this link using dfscmd /remove on the command line, you must specify the same name you used to create the link. For example, if you create the link using its DNS name, you must specify the DNS name when using dfscmd, rather than the NetBIOS name. Consider using a consistent naming standard when adding links, so it will be easier to remember later.

  • When working with shared folders, use NTFS and file sharing permissions to secure the folder and any subfolders so that only authorized users can access them.

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

Concepts

Add a target
Delete a DFS root, root target, link, or target
Adding a DFS link
Securing shared resources
Set permissions on a shared resource
Set, view, change, or remove permissions on files and folders