In DFS, designated machines can be used to store central copies of system configuration and binary files. The files can then be distributed from these machines to the other machines that use them, thus ensuring consistency among the various server machines in the network.
In DFS, two types of machines are responsible for housing common configuration and binary files: System Control machines and Binary Distribution machines. A single instance of the System Control machine distributes all of the common configuration files such as administrative lists to all of the machines in its domain. One Binary Distribution machine exists for each CPU/operating system type found in a cell; each Binary Distribution machine distributes the binary files for its CPU/OS type to all of the other machines of the same type in its cell.
The DFS Update Server process distributes common files from System Control and Binary Distribution machines. Server machines that rely on System Control and Binary Distribution machines for configuration and binary files run the client portion of the Update Server (the upclient process). The System Control and Binary Distribution machines run the server portion of the Update Server (the upserver process).
Each instance of the upclient process frequently checks with the appropriate upserver process to make sure its copies of the proper files are current. If newer versions of the configuration or binary files exist, the upclient process copies them via the upserver process and installs the newer versions of the files.