If you ever saw unknown servers in SYSVOL replication group, event any of DFS Replication Group? Do you know why is reporting unknown and how do I remove the unknown servers from DFS replication group
Also Read: SYSVOL and NETLOGON not shared on Windows server 2016/2012 R2
Do you know why is reporting unknown Members on DFS replication group?
If there are unknown servers in SYSVOL replication group then that might be orphaned Domain Controller, these unknown servers are not anymore on your Active Directory Domain, Decommissioned Domain Controllers not cleaned up properly which is showing as unknown servers
This is same for all other DFS servers if you decommission any of DFS server which is part of DFS replication group or referral servers for DFS namespace, then you have to remove this as part of decommissioning, if not this server object will showing as unknown servers
Also Read: Why DFSR disk not showing correct free space
Is any issue if we have unknown servers on DFS Replication Group
There are no issues as these servers are used to replicate the date, servers should have been decommissioned and not used anymore
Is any issue if we have unknown servers on DFS folder Target
My understanding, there is no issues as DFS referral been disabled, if the membership status showing enable then still some users are trying to connect the box, you have to disable to avoid the impact
Also Read: Why DFS Referral list not showing all the DFS Servers?
Other Impact needs to be considered
If you are not replacing the the server for the location then the users from that location connect to the nearest DFS server as per the site configuration, this needs to considered
Also Read: Force DFS Replication/Force DFSR Members to Replicate on windows server 2008 and 2012
How to remove the unknown servers from DFS Replication on DFS management console
- Open DFS management console
- Select Replication
- Select Domain System Volume
- Right click the unknown member
- Select Delete
- Select OK
How to remove the unknown servers from DFS namespace on DFS management console
- Open DFS management console
- Select Namespaces (Domainname\Sysvol)
- Select Folder Targets
- Right click the Server
- Select OK
- Select Delete
- Select OK
Also Read:DFS troubleshooting from Client end
Also check if any orphaned object in active directory which is causing the issue
- Login to Any DC
- Open ADSIEDIT.MSC
- Expand below DFS Replication topology container
- CN=Topology,CN=
Domain System Volume,CN=DFSR-Globalsettings,CN=System,DC=Your Domain,DC=Domain Suffix - Check and delete old orphaned object under msDFSR-Member
Also Read: DCDIAG and Repadmin shows decommissioned domain controller
Same way you can disable DFS Namespaces Server and Server from replication group, to isolate the sever from users
Also Read: Sysvol Interview Questions and Answers
