File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) stands as an essential asset for administrators seeking to exert control and organization over file storage on their servers. This guide will navigate the steps necessary to install File Server Resource Manager on a Windows server.
What is the File Server Resource Manager?
Microsoft’s File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to empower administrators with enhanced visibility, control, and management over the data stored on their servers. Utilizing FSRM, File Dynamics facilitates effective quota management, ensuring that storage resources are utilized efficiently.
As a feature embedded within Windows Server, FSRM enables administrators to set storage limits, block specific file types, and generate reports to monitor space utilization. This tool is invaluable for maintaining organized data and optimizing storage management.
It is crucial to install FSRM on all servers where File Dynamics will oversee quotas, including the server hosting the Engine. Even if the Engine host lacks shares for management, FSRM remains necessary, as its COM interfaces must be accessible for remote calls from the Engine on other servers.
How to install File Server Resource Manager on Windows server
To embark on the installation of File Server Resource Manager on your Windows server, follow these steps:
- Install File Server Resource Manager
- Configure Quotas
- Configure File Screening
- Configure additional features
Let’s delve into the details of each step.
1] Install File Server Resource Manager
The first step involves installing the File Server role on your computer, which facilitates the management of shared folders and enables user access to files over the network. Follow these steps:
- Open Server Manager, select Add Roles and Features, and click Next.
- Choose Role-based or feature-based installation, then click on Select a server from the server pool, pick the target server for installation, and click Next.
- Navigate to File and Storage Services, expand Files and iSCSI services, and select the File Server Resource Manager option. Continue clicking the Next button through each step.
- Optionally, select additional features for installation, such as .NET Framework 4.7 Features, if required.
- Finally, click the Install button, and once the installation is complete, click Close.
To verify that File Server Resource Manager is installed correctly, navigate to Tools in Server Manager and select File Server Resource Manager. If the tool opens without errors, it confirms successful installation.
2] Configure Quotas
Configuring Quotas allows administrators to limit the storage space available to users or applications, ensuring fair usage of storage resources. This also aids in monitoring storage trends, facilitating future planning. To configure quotas, follow these steps:
- Go to Tools, click on File Server Resource Manager, expand Quota Management, and select Quotas.
- Click on Create Quota and browse to the folder where this quota will apply. Alternatively, right-click on Quotas and select Create Quota.
- Select predefined templates or create a custom quota, specifying the limit and notification threshold for the latter.
- In the Notification Thresholds, set up emails, event log entries, or commands to execute when certain limits are reached. Once completed, click the Create button to apply the quota.
3] Configure File Screening
To prevent the storage of unauthorized or non-business files, administrators can control the types of files users can save on a server by configuring File Screening. Here’s how:
- Navigate to Tools, select File Server Resource Manager, and expand File Screening Management.
- Right-click on File Groups and select the Create File Group option.
- Enter a name for the File Group and define it by selecting specific file extensions to block or allow, clicking Add after each selection, and then selecting OK. Confirm that the newly created File Group appears in the list.
- Next, go to the File Screen Template, right-click, and select Create File Screen Template. Enter the Template name, expand the File Groups, select the one created earlier, and click OK.
- In the Event log tab, select Send Warning to the Event log, and click OK. Verify that the File Group is listed in the File Screen Template list.
- Create a File Screen by right-clicking on File Screens and selecting Create File Screen.
- In the Create File Screen window, specify the File Screen Path, expand the Derive properties from this file screen template drop-down, select Block Executable Files, and click Create. Confirm that the File Screen points to the selected folder.
To test the File Screen, log in to a client PC and attempt to copy an MP3 file to the HR folder; this should trigger a pop-up indicating access is denied. Subsequently, log in to the server to check for a warning message indicating that a user attempted to save the file.
4] Configure additional features
Users can also configure additional features, such as Storage Reports management, to generate reports on file usage. To do so:
- Navigate to Storage Reports Management and click Schedule a new report task.
- Select the report type, such as Duplicate files or Large files, and specify the folders or volumes to include in the report.
- Configure the frequency of report generation and choose the location to save the report.
- Click OK to save the configuration and run the report to review the data.
This outlines the process for installing and configuring FSRM on Windows Server.
How to install file server in a Windows server?
Installing a file server in Windows Server is a straightforward process. The initial step is to install the File Server role from the Server Manager and configure the properties of the folder intended for sharing. For detailed instructions, refer to our post on how to install and configure a file server on Windows Server.
Also Read: Install and configure DNS on Windows Server.
