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FRS Overview

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

File Replication Service (FRS) is a technology that was originally introduced on Windows 2000 Server. It replicates files and folders that are stored in Distributed File System (DFS) folders or in the SYSVOL folder on domain controllers.

FRS in Windows Server 2008 is an optional role service of the File Services server role that enables you to replicate content with other servers that use FRS instead of DFS Replication. DFS Replication replaces FRS for replicating content that is stored in:

  • DFS folders on servers running Windows Server 2003 R2 or Windows Server 2008.

  • The SYSVOL folder in domains that use the Windows Server 2008 domain functional level.

FRS is a required service on domain controllers unless the domain uses the Windows Server 2008 domain functional level. FRS is necessary to replicate DFS folders with servers that do not support DFS Replication.

Note

To manage a Distributed File System namespace that uses FRS to replicate content, open the Distributed File System snap-in on a computer running Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server.

Installing FRS

To install the FRS role service:

From Server Manager, open the Add Roles Wizard, and then select the File Services role. Then use one of the following methods:

  • Select the Windows Server 2003 File Services role service, and then select File Replication Service.

  • Open the Add Role Services Wizard, select the Windows Server 2003 File Services role service, and then select File Replication Service.

Additional references