I'm currently learning Windows Server 2008r2 and am going to be setting up a network which spreads over 2 different buildings. The only connection between them is the internet and the users need to be able to access their files from the file server and login from both locations.
If I'm understanding it correctly I should be able to set up a VPN connection from the main server (and file server) which is stored in one of the buildings [site 1] to another server at the other building [site 2] and I can set the server at site 2 also as a domain controller so there's a domain controller at each site and they will keep in sync with each other.
If I set up another file server at site 2 is there a way I can keep the files in sync from both sites without causing conflicts? Or is there a way that I could maybe just have a cache at site 2 which will contain temporary copies of files that are accessed (meaning it wouldn't need to store everything again)?
If anyone currently has a setup like this it would be really helpful if you explain how you've done it and if there's much of a lag between the locations.
Thanks!
Best Answer
Depending on the use case, you have two options. DFS and Branch Office Cache.
One big difference is there is no need for a local server with Branch office cache. It will distribute the cache quietly among the Windows 7 clients. There is a good +/- chart here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsserver2008r2branchoffice/thread/efabcbe4-bb90-4aec-ba67-a3780d242e4b