Hi,
Problem:
Is a DFS target that evaluates to a local folder not a candidate for an offline files partnership, even if specified to be one via group policy?
Scenario:
There is a DFS namespace setup similar to "\\ Domain.Name\DFS" running on a Windows Server 2012 R2 domain controller.
Within that namespace, there are two folders: "\\ Domain.Name\DFS\User Folders" and "\\ Domain.Name\DFS\User Profiles". It may not be best practice, but currently these DFS folders target a volume local to a domain-joined Windows 8.1 Pro client: "\\ Client\Shares\User Folders" and "\\ Client\Shares\User Profiles", respectively.
To facilitate this, DFS loopback targets are enabled on the client, via: "EnableDfsLoopbackTargets" in "HKLM/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/Mup/Parameters". DFS itself works without issue.
A domain user has roaming profiles directed to "\\ Domain.Name\DFS\User Profiles\%username%". The same user has a home folder, "U", mapped to "\\ Domain.Name\DFS\User Folders\%username%". GPO is enabled for folder redirection to the DFS share's home folder.
Offline files are enabled on "\\ Domain.Name\DFS\User Folders\%username%", via GPO. Offline files are enabled on the client via the control panel.
When a domain user logs into the client, offline files shows no partnerships on the client, and the "Offline Files" tab is not present for any folder in the "U" mapping.
Offline files from other network shares, such as "\\ Server\Share\", can be added to the client without issue.
I've of course updated group policy, rebooted, reset the offline files cache, etc.
For a while, this was driving me insane. However, now I suspect this option is not available simply because the DFS share has resolved to a local folder, which is not a candidate for offline files, since it should always be available. This makes sense to me, but I would like it confirmed by someone!
Would a log be generated when a GPO-enforced offline file partnership fails? If so, where would I locate it?
Thanks,