To collect data for backup or other purposes, use the New Replication Group Wizard to set up a replication group for data collection. This option sets up a two-way replication between two servers, such as a branch server and a hub server. Administrators at the hub office can use backup software to back up the branch server’s data from a hub server. This eliminates the error-prone process of having end users perform the backups at branch offices that are not staffed by trained information technology (IT) personnel.

Important

The data collection topology allows data to replicate from the hub server to the branch server. If you do not want changes made at the hub server to replicate to the branch server, make the replicated folder read-only on the hub server.

Use the following tasks to deploy DFS Replication for data collection or other purposes:

Task Reference

Review DFS Replication concepts.

Overview of DFS Replication

Review the requirements for DFS Replication.

Review Requirements for DFS Replication

Install the newest version of DFS Management.

Installing DFS

Create a replication group.

Create a Replication Group

Add replicated folders to the replication group.

Add a Replicated Folder to a Replication Group

Add member servers to the replication group.

Add a Member to a Replication Group

Add a failover cluster as a member of a replication group.

Add a Failover Cluster to a Replication Group

Make a replicated folder read-only.

Make a Replicated Folder Read-Only on a Particular Member

Create a connection between member servers.

Create a Connection

Delegate the ability to manage DFS Replication.

Delegate the Ability to Manage DFS Replication

Important

To view or manage replication groups that contain read-only replicated folders or members that are failover clusters, you must use the version of DFS Management that is included with Windows Server 2008 R2.

Additional references