Windows Server 2008 R2 contains both the File Replication Service (FRS) and new Distributed File System (DFS) Replication to replicate SYSVOL. FRS enables interoperability with domain controllers that run Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003. After these domain controllers are removed from the domain or upgraded to Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you can raise the domain functional level to use DFS Replication of SYSVOL. DFS Replication is a new state-based, multimaster replication engine that supports scheduling and bandwidth throttling. It uses a new compression algorithm to replicate only the changes when files are updated.

Using FRS and DFS Replication

The following table lists references to help you use FRS and DFS Replication on a server running Windows Server 2008 R2.

  Step Reference
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FRS is used to replicate SYSVOL by default unless the domain functional level is Windows Server 2008.To use DFS Replication to replicate SYSVOL, raise the domain functional level to Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Raising the Functional Levels (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93174)

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Review information about using DFS Replication.

File Services (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93167)

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If necessary, migrate from FRS to DFS Replication.

File Services (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93167)


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