You cannot access the correct DFS shared folders from a Windows Server 2003-based DFS client after the link targets are updated

Consider the following scenario:

• You deploy a Distributed File System (DFS) environment by using a cascaded DFS design.
• You configure some DFS links that point to some shared folders.
• You update the shared folders to which the DFS links point.

In this scenario, you cannot access the correct shared folders from a Windows Server 2003-based client computer. Additionally, this problem disappears after you restart the client computer.

This problem occurs because the DFS client caches the link target information on the client computer. However, after a link target is updated, the DFS client does not obtain the updated link target information from the DFS root. Therefore, the DFS client cannot access the correct shared folder.

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 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You must 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

Windows XP x64 Edition with Service Pack 1

Windows XP x64 Edition with Service Pack 2

To work around this problem, run the following command to update the DFS cache on the Windows Server 2003-based client computer:Note To run this command, you must have Windows Server 2003 Support Tools installed. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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

If you have to create more than 5,000 links in a domain-based DFS namespace, you can create multiple DFS namespaces that comply with the recommended sizes. Then, you can link these namespaces. This method is known as a cascaded DFS design, and the links that point to another namespace are called interlinks.

For more information about DFS, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Hotfix 945222 is available to resolve the same problem on Windows XP Service Pack 2-based DFS clients.

For more information, 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:

Technical support for x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows

If your hardware came with a Microsoft Windows x64 edition already installed, your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for the Windows x64 edition. In this case, your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation by using unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you must have technical help with a Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware. If you purchased a Windows x64 edition such as a Windows Server 2003 x64 edition separately, contact Microsoft for technical support.

For product information about Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site: