Terminology

DFS (Distributed File System) refers to a virtual arrangement of distributed Microsoft servers as a single resources tree.

For a full DFS Namespace overview, see

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/dfs-namespaces/dfs-overview.

DFS Namespace

A virtual view of shared folders on servers provided by DFS. A DFS namespace consists of a root and many links and targets. The namespace starts with a root that maps to one or more root targets. Below the root are links that map to their own targets.

Domain-based DFS namespace

A DFS namespace whose configuration information is stored in Active Directory.

DFS Link (folder with targets)

A component in a DFS path that lies below the root and maps to one or more link targets.

DFS Link Target (folder target)

The mapping destination of a link. A link target can be any UNC path, such as a shared folder or another DFS path.