DFS, how to remove orphaned Replication Groups/members

I'm running several 2012r2 servers in several remote offices.  I replicate folders back to the home office for backup to tape.  I had to move the location of the replication folders in the home office, so I deleted the replication groups and recreated them to point to the new server/folders.

Now I am having troubles getting some of the folders to replicate.  I am also getting event logs saying that replication service failed to communicate with partner XYZ  (events 5008 and 5012), but member XYZ is no longer a member and does not appear in the DFS manager as being in a replication group.

I guess the first thing I want to do is clean up old AD entries for the deleted replication groups and members, but I don't know where to begin.
LVL 1
Sys_Admin1Asked:
Who is Participating?

[Product update] Infrastructure Analysis Tool is now available with Business Accounts.Learn More

x
I wear a lot of hats...

"The solutions and answers provided on Experts Exchange have been extremely helpful to me over the last few years. I wear a lot of hats - Developer, Database Administrator, Help Desk, etc., so I know a lot of things but not a lot about one thing. Experts Exchange gives me answers from people who do know a lot about one thing, in a easy to use platform." -Todd S.

djcanterCommented:
Sys_Admin1Author Commented:
Thanks.  I think that might get me started, but it's not exactly my problem.  I don't see the old replication groups in the DFS display, I am getting event errors saying it can't reach the [now orphaned] replication member.

The other problem I'm having of course is my replication is failing to the newly created group/members, but likely this is all related.
djcanterCommented:
thats exactly what this will resolve.  i have had to do this in the past for 2 failed dfs servers.

Edit- I may have misread. If your servers are still online and the repllication groups arent populating, it sounds like you may have an AD replication issue. I would start there.
Protecting & Securing Your Critical Data

Considering 93 percent of companies file for bankruptcy within 12 months of a disaster that blocked access to their data for 10 days or more, planning for the worst is just smart business. Learn how Acronis Backup integrates security at every stage

FREE DOWNLOAD
Sys_Admin1Author Commented:
I'm likely not being clear since I'm not really an expert in DFS, but my servers are online and my replication groups are populating correctly in the DFS manager.

The problem is that some of my folders are not replicating, which led me to find that I had event errors saying that some of the [now orphaned] members/groups can't be contacted, so AD and DFS still think the old replication groups exist, when they don't.

I don't know if that problem in and of itself is causing my folders to not replicate, but it's where I'm starting.
Sys_Admin1Author Commented:
ADDED:  I went through the link DJCantor provided above and also this similar one:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/windowsserver/en-US/a7724837-b80a-436b-89df-97bb189bcecc/dfs-clean-old-dfs-replication-groups

The orphaned replication group or members aren't present in the metadata lists.  My domain controllers are syncing properly and I don't see any problems, except for the event errors [and the folders not syncing]  

I think I will let is 'rest' for several hours or over night and see if it clears out it's errors.  Maybe things are just out of sync.

If anyone has other suggestions of what to check, please post.
Sys_Admin1Author Commented:
I resolved this problem, kickstarted by the post from DJcantor and then some more digging by me.

Here is another related link associated with DFS errors:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/89e95132-d6fe-4bd0-855d-4e0acf3aef96/dfs-error-cannot-access-the-local-wmi-repository?forum=winservergen

Working through a combination of the info in all links posted in this thread, and then the last resort of a system reboot caused the DFS service to report it had stopped replication (event 9098) and schedule a removal of a tombstoned content set entry (event 4004).  Once that completed then replication started up again.

Experts Exchange Solution brought to you by

Your issues matter to us.

Facing a tech roadblock? Get the help and guidance you need from experienced professionals who care. Ask your question anytime, anywhere, with no hassle.

Start your 7-day free trial
Sys_Admin1Author Commented:
worked through information and resolved problem.
It's more than this solution.Get answers and train to solve all your tech problems - anytime, anywhere.Try it for free Edge Out The Competitionfor your dream job with proven skills and certifications.Get started today Stand Outas the employee with proven skills.Start learning today for free Move Your Career Forwardwith certification training in the latest technologies.Start your trial today
Windows Server 2012

From novice to tech pro — start learning today.