A.10. Chapter 11: Creating and Managing Shared Folders

Add a File Services role to your server

Before you can create and use DFS, NFS, share files and folders, or any other file-related function across the domain in Server 2008, you will need to install the File Services role.

Master It

Go into the server master, and add the server role File Services.

Solution

1. Select Start Administrative Tools Server Manager.

2. In Server Manager's Action drop-down list, click Add Roles.

3. In the Add Roles Wizard, click File Services, and then click Install.

4. After the wizard completes, go back into the Server Manager, expand Roles, and you should see File Services installed.

If done correctly, your server will show that the File Services role is installed.

Add a shared folder using NFS

Once the File Services role has been added, you can then share folders, such as a folder called APPS.

Master It

Create a shared folder called APPS on your Server 2008 server; when done, the wizard should show a successful share.

Solution

Once you set up the permissions on your share, click Next to see the final screen of the Share a Folder Wizard, which lists the results and gives you the option to run the wizard again.

1. Select Start Administrative Tools Computer Management Shares New Share.

2. Follow the wizard, and browse to the folder you want to share. Click Next, and then set the kind of permissions you want for the shared folder. Click Finish.

Add a DFS root

If your organization ends up with a lot of file servers created over time, you may have users who do not know where all the files are located. You can streamline these operations by creating a DFS root and consolidate the existing file servers into common namespaces.

Master It

Create a new namespace called MYFIRSTNS on your Windows Server 2008 server; when done, the wizard should show a new namespace called MYFIRSTNS.

Solution

In the upper-right side of the DFS Management screen, click New Namespace. You will then see the Namespace Server Wizard. Follow the steps through to completion:

1. Select Start Administrative Tools DFS Management.

2. In DFS Management, click the Action drop-down, and select New Replication Group.

3. In New Replication Group Wizard, select the group type. Enter the name of the replication group (MYFIRSTNS), add any descriptions, and click Next.

4. Add the servers, and then click Next.

5. Select the topology, and then click Next.

6. Add the hub members, and click Next.

7. Select the replication group schedule, and click Next.

8. Set whether it is a primary member, and click Next.

9. Now add the folders to replicate, and click Next.

10. Review the settings, and click Finish.