FRS to DFRS

Question

Hi,
Like to have some comments on my questions related to FRS and DFRS

Question1:
We have two Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter domain controllers that is still using FRS I guess, since when we use “dcdiag” I get the message “Starting test: DFSREvent: Skip the test because the server is running FRS”. One thing I am wondering about is, why do I get DFSR messages in the event log if the server is not configured to use DFSR. See images below.

Question2:
Is there anything special I need to consider when migrating from FRS to DFSR. Domain and forest functional level are today Windows Server 2012 R2. Do I need to backup my GPOs for example ? Would the migration have any impact on the users, should I do it outside office hours? As I understand it’s the SYSVOL that is going to be implicated, but if we have many scripts there, and one user tries to login when we are doing the migration, will the script fail ?
I also see DFS and DFSR, is this the same? Just different naming ?

Question 3:
We are later going to replace the domain controllers with Windows Server 2022 Standard, is there anything I need to take into consideration regarding DFRS? Like for example upgrade domain or forest functional level?
I guess the complete guide is here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/dfs-replication/migrate-sysvol-to-dfsr .... A lot to read, so I guess using this guide will be ok https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/storage-at-microsoft/streamlined-migration-of-frs-to-dfsr-sysvol/ba-p/425405 think about step “Quick Migration”

Thanks for any reply
/R
Andy

Answer 1

why do I get DFSR messages in the event log

Might have been a namespace added?
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/dfs-namespaces/dfs-overview

As to migration you can follow along here but don't start this until domain health is confirmed 100% and event logs are clean. The two prerequisites to introducing the first 2019 or 2022 domain controller are that domain functional level needs to be 2008 or higher and older sysvol FRS replication needs to have been migrated to DFSR
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Storage-at-Microsoft/Streamlined-Migration-of-FRS-to-DFSR-SYSVOL/ba-p/425405

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

Definitely sounds broken. You can work through this one here,
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/group-policy/missing-sysvol-and-netlogon-shares

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 3

Hi,

Thanks for reply.
I checked roles on the two DCs and could not see any namespace. See image.

One other thing i noticed, is if I do \domain.name\ it does not show SYSVOL and it does not show NETLOGON is that because it uses FRS ? What I do get is \domain.name\SHAREPOINT

If I login to the DC and go to C:\Windows\SYSVOL\ I have the following

If I login to the DC and go to C:\Windows\SYSVOL\domain.name\ I have the following

Comments ? :)

/R
Andy

Answer 4

Hi,

Ok, so sysvol should be there even if its FRS ? just to be sure....
But one thing that I think is strange is that I cannot see any error messages, and repadmin and dcdiag does not give any error.

/R
Andy