Question : 2k3 Server with multiple names share question (500pts)

Currently we are in the process of migrating two small file servers over to one larger file server. The 2 smaller file servers were set up for 2 different companies each with their own data and folder shares. So far the plan for this is to use the OptionalNames registry edit to give the new file server the same names as the two old file servers. To make this easier lets just say the names are \\company1file1 and \\company2file1.

At this time we have moved one of the companies onto the new server and everythign looks good. In preparation for the second move I ran into 2 issues Im hoping someone could help with.

1. Three of the shares on the two smaller file servers have the same name. As far as I know you can not have 2 shares with the same name on a single server. Renaming them would cause the links on the users machine to become broken and have to be recreated usiing the new share name we create.

2. I would like to have it so that when a user types \\company1file1 they only see the shared folders for their specific company rather than seeing shared folders for both companies. The same would apply to the users of \\company2file1

The ultimate solution would be if there was a way to keep all the shares with their original names and have the server use the \\companyxxxxxx path to determine which sets of folders it accesses.

Any ideas?

Answer : 2k3 Server with multiple names share question (500pts)

Sorry, but I don't think this is possible.  I would suggest you adjust one or both companies methods now using logon scripts and drive letters so that this isn't a problem in the future.

Although, you MAY be able to explore using DFS with two DFS roots pointing to different share names on the same server... I'm really not sure if or how this will work, but it would be my best guess for being able to do what you want.