File Replication Service (FRS) is aMicrosoftWindows Server service for distributing shared files and Group Policy Objects. It replaced the (Windows NT) Lan Manager Replication service,^[1] and has been partially replaced byDistributed File System Replication. It is also known as NTFRS after the name of the executable file that runs the service.

One of the main uses of FRS is for the SYSVOL directory share. The SYSVOL directory share is particularly important in a Microsoft network as it is used to distribute files supportingGroup Policy and scripts to client computers on the network. Since Group Policies and scripts are run each time a user logs on to the system, it is important to have reliability. Having multiple copies of the SYSVOL directory increases the resilience and spreads the workload for this essential service.

It is so configured that it automatically starts on all domain controllers andmanually on all standalone sectors. Its automatic file replication service is responsiblefor the copying and maintenance of files across network.

The SYSVOL directory can be accessed by using anetwork share to any server that has a copy of the SYSVOL directory (normally aDomain Controller) as shown below:

  \\server\SYSVOL

Or by accessing it using the domain name:

  \\domain.com\SYSVOL

Servers that work together to provide this service are calledReplication Partners.

To control file replication:

1. Use theActive Directory Sites and Services fromAdministrative Tools.
2. Select theSites container to view a list of sites.
3. Expand the site that to be viewed. This will provide the list of servers in that site.
4. Expand the server to be viewed, right click the NTDS settings, and selectProperties.
5. Under theConnections tab, the list of servers that are being replicated can be seen.

InWindows Server 2003 R2 andWindows Server 2008,DFS Replication^[2] is available as well as theFile Replication Service.DFS Replication is a state-based replication engine for file replication amongDFS shares, which supports replication scheduling andbandwidth throttling. It usesRemote Differential Compression to detect and replicate only the change to files, rather than replicating entire files, if changed.Windows Vista also includes a DFS Replication Service which is limited to peer-to-peer DFS Replication service groups.^[3] FRS is still used for SYSVOL replication, but optionally, DFS replication may be used instead of FRS replication for SYSVOL shares,^[4] and the FRS stopped. On up-level Windows Server 2008 domain controllers, SYSVOL replication is performed using DFS replication, by default^[5] although NTFRS replication is also supported. On Windows Server 2008/R2 up-level domain controllers, SYSVOL replication is performed using DFS replication, and NTFRS replication is disabled altogether.^[6]

• FRS Technical Reference
• DFSR limits in Windows 2008

• Active Directory
• Microsoft server technology
• Windows components
• Network file systems
• Internet Protocol based network software

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