Error message in Windows Server 2003 R2 when you use the Dfsmgmt.msc snap-in to create a new DFS namespace that contains a period (.) character

On a Windows Server 2003 R2-based computer, you use the DFS Management (Dfsmgmt.msc) snap-in to create a new Distributed File System (DFS) namespace. The namespace contains a period (.) character in the name. When you do this, you receive the following error message:Additionally, you cannot manage the DFS namespace that already has a period character in the name. For example, you cannot manage an ab.cdef namespace that you previously created in the Dfsgui.msc snap-in. Also, you cannot manage Distributed File System Replication (DFS-R) for a DFS namespace that has period character in the name.

DFS allows for period characters in a namespace name. However, the Dfsmgmt.msc snap-in incorrectly considers the period character as an invalid character.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed on the computer. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

To work around this problem, use the Distributed File System (Dfsgui.msc) snap-in instead of the DFS Management snap-in. You can use the DFSRAdmin.exe tool to manage DFS-R replication.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about a related hotfix, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: