DFS - Several files disappeared

EdWin 121 Reputation points
2021-07-05T12:34:22.507+00:00

Hi everyone,

Some days ago my File Server had some files disappeared. Not only files, but also folders. I have a DFS system configured between these two File Servers. The "fun fact" here is that day the network link between got unavailable in both two File Servers (got available hours after back in that day) and these files are not available ever since. Is there a way to know how these files and folders disappeared?

Thank you.

Windows Server Storage
Windows Server Storage
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Storage: The hardware and software system used to retain data for subsequent retrieval.
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  1. Fan Fan 15,336 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-07-16T02:10:02.083+00:00

    Hi,

    DFS Namespaces (DFSN or DFS-N) and DFS Replication (DFSR or DFS-R) role services, which together comprise Distributed File System (DFS) .

    DFS Namespaces Enables you to group shared folders that are located on different servers into one or more logically structured namespaces. Each namespace appears to users as a single shared folder with a series of subfolders. However, the underlying structure of the namespace can consist of numerous file shares that are located on different servers and in multiple sites.

    DFS Replication Enables you to efficiently replicate folders (including those referred to by a DFS namespace path) across multiple servers and sites. DFS Replication uses a compression algorithm known as remote differential compression (RDC). RDC detects changes to the data in a file, and it enables DFS Replication to replicate only the changed file blocks instead of the entire file.

    Best Regards,

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  1. Fan Fan 15,336 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-07-06T00:31:48.477+00:00

    Hi,
    Before going further, would you please tell how did you configure the DFS?
    Do you configure the DFS-N for file sharing or DFS-R for replication?

    It will be different to figure out why the files was disappeared, but for the security reason, we can configure the file system audit policy to get more information if this issue re-happens again.
    For how to enable the audit policy, you can refer to the steps in the following link:
    https://techexpert.tips/windows/audit-deleted-files-on-windows/

    This response contains a third-party link. We provide this link for easy reference. Microsoft cannot guarantee the validity of any information and content in this link.
    Best Regards,

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