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Summary

This article describes how to restore DFS replicated folders to an alternate location from the Block restore tab for Windows Server 2012 and later.

 

Symptoms

Alternate location restore of DFS replicated folders from a Block backup image is currently not supported due to a design limitation. Due to a product limitation, when configuring a Block restore in the management console, only the "Original Location" can be selected for a restore destination if the source is a DFS replicated folder.

It is possible to restore to an alternative location (other than original shared folder, so data being restored was never there before) on Windows, but in order to do it:

  1. The DFS Replication Service on the target has to be stopped during the Block restore.
  2. A new restore target location must be defined. This prevents data from being overwritten or synchronized when the DFS Replication Service on the target is started after the restore.

 

Resolution

First, perform the Block backup of the replicated folder by selecting the DfsrReplicatedFolders object in the source selection screen of the Block backup wizard. Then complete the following procedure:

  1. Stop the replication process on the target machine.
    1. Open the DFS Management Console.
    2. Select the required replication group and click on the Connections tab.
    3. Right-click Sending Members and select Disable.

  1. Open the PowerShell and run the following command:

Dfsrdiag PollAD

  1. After the DFS Replication has stopped, open DPX and navigate to the Block restore screen.
  2. Browse the source node and expand the disk location where the replicated folder resides.

In the example screenshot below, Misc1 is the replicated folder and it resides in the M: drive of the source machine.

  1. On the destination pane, select the target replicated folder on which the replication was stopped in Step 1.
  2. Save and run the Block restore job.
  3. Once the restore job is completed, start the replication service on the target machine.
    1. Open the DFS Management Console.
    2. Select the required replication group and click on the Connections tab.
    3. Right-click Sending Members and select Enable.
    4. Open the PowerShell and run the following command:

Dfsrdiag PollAD