Microsoft Distributed File System (DFS)

Like NFS, DFS employs a tree structure for file systems. A directory that is being imported by a client is attached at a point somewhere in the local file system, where it is then made available to applications as if the directory and its files were local.

The Windows Server family (both 2000 and 2003 versions) includes DFS as an integral part of the operating system. The interface is written as a snap-in to the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) tool, making administration a simpler process. A wizard prompts you through setting up a DFS root, and from there on out you can add, modify, or remove directory paths from the DFS tree. Paths represented in the DFS tree can come from one or more servers on the network. A tree is not bound by a single host.

In Windows NT 4.0, directory replication allowed you to create copies of directories on multiple systems, keeping them in sync. This functionality was replaced in Windows 2000 Server with Distributed File System (though it is also possible to download DFS for Windows NT 4.0). DFS is now included as a part of modern Windows operating systems. DFS allows you to move away from the \ \server\

sha rename concept to one based on the domain. Instead of having to remember (or browse and find) on which server a particular file share is hosted, you can use DFS to create shares that are global to the domain. That is, if you're a member of the domain, you can specify the share as \ \domainname\ share. DFS also allows for replication. This means that you can have more than one copy of the data being shared, but only have to use the global domain-wide share name to connect. This provides for some fault tolerance. If a server goes down that happens to host a replica of a share, then the other servers that contain copies of the share can be connected to by users. Note that this does not provide any kind of failover if a server crashes. The user can, however, restart her work by reconnecting to the share. The connection will be made to another replica of the file share.

Important terms to understand when dealing with DFS are listed here:

• Root—A server can have only one root installed. It is just about the same thing as a file share, with a few differences, which will become apparent shortly.
• DFS link—Under the root you create DFS links. These are links to file shares that will be available under the root you have created. This means you can create a single root yet place multiple shared directories under the root so that only one file share connection is necessary. If not, users would have to connect to each directory as a separate file share.
• Replica—You can create shares that replicate the data in other shares. This can be done to provide for both load balancing and a degree of fault tolerance.

Outline marketing plan for Asuk Creative Limited a B2B provider of Internet services continue...

Objectives

The objectives are each built around the SMART criteria (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timed).

• Increase market share. ASUK Creative Limited currently holds 2 per cent (200 servers) of the UK dedicated server market (approx immediately 10,000 dedicated servers). ASUK should plan to increase this steadily to 16.7 per cent after four years. Since the market share has risen from 0 to 2 per cent in one year without increased marketing, this is a realistic target.
• Streamline ordering processes. The new web site called DediPower.com should incorporate online facilities for order processing, upgrades and support. The development of these features can continue over time but a fully featured site should be ready for launch.
• Increase brand awareness/brand building. By launching a new site, ASUK can take advantage of a fresh start but still use all the advantages of an established company. A brand image of power and quality, yet competitive prices should be established through intensive marketing and excellent CRM. The company plans to have a powerful brand name within six months of launching the site.
• 
• Create self-contained entity for possible initial public offering (IPO) or trade sale.
• ASUK can aim for an IPO within three years, being sold either to a competitor or to a diversifying larger company. The sell value is currently £300,000. A target should be set to have this at £1 5 million within three years.
• Expansion into international markets. The launch of DediPower means that foreign clients will become more accessible. The improved site will have support for international sales.
• Improve CRM and customer support. By improving these fundamentals, ASUK aims to sell additional products to its current clients. Currently, 25 per cent of clients have bought additional services, and the aim is to increase this to 55 per cent within a year.

Strategies by target markets

• Current customers. By rebranding, enforce customer loyalty and improve service level. Also provide an easier product upgrade path. Better support and customer self-service should also be provided.

• Domestic. Build brand as a high-quality service with lower-value pricing. Offer three core incentives to show confidence in the product: thirty-day money back guarantee, UK price matching initiative, no minimumcontract. ASUK will be the first company in the UK industry to offer all these incentives together in a genuine fashion.

• International. Key strengths to marketing include sustainability and experience. The product will be positioned in the market as a high-end service, offering good performance for companies that have interests across Europe.

The marketing mix

• Price. Although prices should be offered on a price match guarantee within the UK, they should be based around a product-line pricing strategy; that is, each customer can start with a basic product and build layers on top to create their custom product.
• Product. The product is to be sold individually, but a discount should be offered for multiple sales and/or prepayment packages. Customer loyalty could be rewarded with additional free services.
• Promotion. ASUK should base the promotion around an online marketing strategy, using online targeted banners and search engines, complemented by increased exposure on the major Web hosting guides. Publication to online and offline trade magazines of press releases and adverts will reinforce the respectability of the brand.

Evaluation and control

• Monitor market share and company growth rate. Frequently obtain market share statistics. An estimate can be made by obtaining the total number of dedicated in the market segment and calculating the percentage of them that ASUK holds.
• Occasional customer surveys to ensure support satisfaction is increasing. ASUK already has the facility to conduct customer surveys online. These should be conducted half-yearly to ensure that satisfaction objectives are met.

• Demographic analysis of buyers and potential buyers. To determine whether ASUK is penetrating all potential markets sufficiently, customer account details should be collated and analysed to produce maps of customer distribution.