I have multiple server-based computers, but they are in different places. I need to use files on other computers frequently. Is it possible to synchronize files between Windows Servers for share? Any suggestion and comment are welcome.
- Question from Microsoft.com
Syncing files between two Windows Servers is not uncommon, in fact, many IT technicians or small and medium companies need to do this for file sharing and efficiency. There are different ways to sync files, from built-in role services DFS replication for free to third-party file sync software - Qiling Disk Master Server for more advanced features.
Before you start to sync folders between Windows Server 2012(R2)/2016/2019/2022 or all the previous versions, let's get the three main reasons.
Then, without further ado, let's start with Windows Server syncing folders. You will learn the third-party software with advanced features, and then the free solution to sync files. The first one is recommended, not only for advanced features but also because of its easy-to-use graphic user interface and operations.
Qiling Disk Master Server is a trust and reliable file sync software for server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022 including the R2 version and Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11/XP/Vista.
Thanks to its user-friendly interface, you can use it to easily sync files or folders between drives, USB flash drives, cloud storage (e.g.: sync file server with OneDrive), network share or NAS, and even two or multiple computers.
In addition, during the sync process, you can enjoy many excellent features:
Download this wonderful file sync software on the source computer. For unlimited PCs or servers, try the technician or techplus edition of Qiling Disk Master! And you don't even need to install it again and again if you create a portable version of it.
You can then follow the video tutorial or graphic tutorial to sync files between two Windows Servers in simple steps.
Step 1. Create a shared folder.
To sync folders between Windows Server 2012, you need to use a shared folder as a middle-man and set access permission for other servers, so you can share files with them. If you don't know how to share it, please refer to this page: sync folders over network.
Step 2. Run Qiling Disk Master. Then, select Basic Sync under the Sync tab.
Step 3. Click Folder to select the files you want to sync.
Step 3. Expand the drop-down menu of the second bar > select Add Share or NAS Devices. Then, type the network path and select the shared folder you made before in the network location.
Step 4. Now, the sync task is almost done. To keep all the changes made later automatically, click Schedule Sync > Enable Schedule Sync and select Daily. Then, you can further set backup date, backup time, or intervals.
Step 5. Confirm the operations and click Proceed to automatically sync folders between Windows Server 2012. Then, you can access data in the shared folder by its network path.
Here you will use DFS Replication to sync files between Windows Servers. It's one of the role services in the File and Storage Services role. This technology was first introduced in Windows Server 2003 R2 and is retained in later versions, including Windows Server 2008/2008 R2/2012/2016/2019. To learn more about it, go to the next part and learn how it works.
DFS replication is not installed by default, so you need to install DFS replication and then perform folder replication in Windows Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022 and its R2 version effortlessly.
Step 1. Open Server Manager and click Role on the left panel > tag on Add Roles on the right panel.
Step 2. Click Next on the Before You Begin page. Then, tick File Services role in the Service Roles page and click Next.
Step 3. Select DFS Replication role service and click Next.
Step 4. Confirm this installation and click Install to ensure you want to install the selected roles, role services, or features.
Step 5. Wait for a while, the installation process will be completed with the words "Installation succeeded" displayed, and then click Close to close this page.
Step 1. Start new replication. Click Start -> Administrative Tools -> DFS Management subsequently, then Right click Replication and choose New Replication Group in the DFS Management console.
Step 2. Choose Replication Group Type.
Step 3. Set name and domain for replication group.
Step 4. Add server computer you want to share files with.
Click Add and look up the servers in Active Directory, then select the servers you want to share files or folders and click Next.
Step 5. Select Full Mesh Topology.
This feature makes the shared files or folders stay synced among all of the servers regardless of where the files are updated.
Step 6. Choose full bandwidth to keep the files in sync all the time.
Step 7. Set a primary member.
The primary member is very useful during the first synchronization, it will first sync files in the Primary member if there are any conflicts, but only once. And then, all the files will be synchronized nearly instantaneously, because the Full mesh topology treats all servers as equals.
Step 8. Select files or folders you want to sync.
Click Add and you will enter a new window, then select the folders you want to replicate and click Next. You can use the default existing permissions because it works in most cases. However, you still can set custom permissions.
Step 9. Choose a local folder to store files or folders.
Now, you will see all the selected servers and you will be noted that the local path is not set and it's disabled. Then click Edit and select enabled as well as choose the local folder on the remote server.
Step 10. Review whatever you have selected and click Create to start the first initial replication. It may take 15 minutes or longer.
Although DFS replication is really complicated and has many limitations, many users still want to use it. It is completely free and more suitable for small and medium-sized company users who don't have much budget. If you are an administrator or the people who manage resources for the company, you can try it! Here is how it works.
It uses a compression algorithm known as remote differential compression (RDC) to detect changes to the data in a file, then enables DFS Replication to replicate only the changed file blocks rather than the entire file. And it can resolve the administrative issue that XCopy and Robocopy cannot.
To share a folder between two Windows servers, you need to set up the shared folder and grant permissions to users using the other server. Below are the overall steps:
Both Qiling Disk Master Server and DFS replication help you to synchronize files between Windows Servers. By comparison, the previous one is recommended due to its rich features and easy of operation. With it, you can sync files to your preferences and improve working efficiency by running it automatically.
Meanwhile, you can choose to backup files between Windows Servers to improve data security. It will compress all the data into an image file and require a restore before using it. This feature;supports all the scheduled settings just like in Sync, and different methods to minimize disk space, such as, incremental and differential backup, automatic backup cleanup, etc.