Client pinned to referral cache after target maintenance

Scenario

A server is patched and returned to service, but clients continue using stale referral decisions.

Recommended Resolution Path

1. Flush DFS client referral cache on a test endpoint to confirm the symptom.
2. Review referral TTL settings and whether the target was disabled cleanly during maintenance.
3. Check if shortcuts or mapped drives bypass the namespace entirely.
4. Document maintenance steps that minimize referral surprises.

Technician Notes

Capture the exact scope of impact, confirm which dependency failed first, and document whether the issue reflects broader domain or server drift.