Should you ever store data in the folder hosting a DFS *namespace*?

hi all.

i'm involved in discussions relating dfs deployment within organisation i'm working for.

in looking @ configuration of dfs, appears have happened number of dfs namespaces have been created, these have then been replicated, , data has been stored within these folders , replicated (the replication desired).

my view "sub-optimal" configuration , have found plenty of documentation stating that, once you've created dfs namespace, should populate folders/targets desired, pointing data on various servers. these folders, in turn, replicated (or not) required.

to illustrate:

assuming domain name of "mydomain.co.uk", following four namespaces have been configured far:

\\mydomain.co.uk\distributed_apps
\\mydomain.co.uk\user_mydocs$
\\mydomain.co.uk\user_profiles$
\\mydomain.co.uk\user_home$

each of these namespaces configured physical folder on namespace server, , folder contains relevant data. re-iterate, joe bloggs' home drive mapped \\mydomain.co.uk\user_home$\bloggsj

there additional namespace servers configured identically (one per site, 5 sites in total) so, definition, because namespaces "resilient" intents & purposes, data within them replicated.

my feeling "by accident" rather "by design". go numerous reasons why think incorrect implementation of dfs but, far (and without yet seeing documentation them counter arguments) claim implementation "correct" , management view therefore "well, if it's not quite opmimum, if isn't wrong there doesn't need immediate effort change it.

the eagle-eyed have spotted potentially serious supportability issue in that, according http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/dfsfaq.mspx, there rather strict rules on can configure offline-wise when doing folder redirection. that's potentially subject of thread!

any pointers or discussions stating i'm wrong , i've described valid configuration appreciated (although suspect there won't many/any!).

what better response ms staffer confirm/refute views!

regards,

paul

Windows Server  >  File Services and Storage