Converting a traditional file server to Distributed File System (DFS) involves several steps. DFS allows you to organize file shares across multiple servers into a unified namespace, providing fault tolerance, load balancing, and simplified access to files.

Step 1: Plan Your DFS Namespace

1. Identify servers: Decide which servers will host your DFS namespace.
2. Plan namespace structure: Determine the structure of your DFS namespace, including folder names and hierarchy.
3. Choose replication or standalone: Decide whether you’ll use DFS Replication (DFSR) for redundancy or simply create standalone namespaces.

Step 2: Install DFS Role

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Click on “Add roles and features.”
3. Select “Role-based or feature-based installation” and click “Next.”
4. Choose the server where you want to install the DFS role.
5. Select “File and Storage Services” and then “File and iSCSI Services.”
6. Check “DFS Namespaces” and/or “DFS Replication” depending on your needs.
7. Complete the installation process by following the wizard.

Step 3: Configure DFS Namespace

1. Open DFS Management console.
2. Right-click on “Namespaces” and choose “New Namespace.”
3. Follow the wizard to create the namespace, specifying its name and server(s) hosting it.
4. Once created, right-click on the namespace and select “New Folder” to create folders within the namespace according to your planned structure.

Step 4: Add Folder Targets

1. Right-click on the folder within your DFS namespace and select “Add Folder Target.”
2. Specify the path of the folder on the existing file server that you want to include in the namespace.
3. Repeat this process for each folder you want to include in the namespace, regardless of whether they’re on the same server or different servers.

Step 5: Configure DFS Replication (Optional)

1. If you’re using DFS Replication for redundancy, navigate to the “Replication” tab in DFS Management.
2. Right-click on “Replication” and select “New Replication Group.”
3. Follow the wizard to set up replication groups, specifying replication group name, replication topology, and replication group members.

Step 6: Test and Verify

1. Access the DFS namespace from client machines to ensure that it’s accessible.
2. Create, modify, and delete files to ensure that changes are replicated (if using DFSR) and accessible across servers.
3. Monitor DFS Management console for any warnings or errors, addressing them as needed.

Step 7: Document and Train

1. Document the new DFS setup, including namespace structure, replication settings (if applicable), and any other relevant information.
2. Train relevant staff on how to access and manage files through the new DFS namespace.

Note: Ensure you have backups in place before making any significant changes to your file server infrastructure.