In this article, I will show you how to install and configure FSRM on Microsoft Windows Server. The File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) has existed for some time but has been an underutilized Windows feature. The FSRM can be used by system admins to manage their organization’s corporate files on their file servers. Please see Enable Hyper-V on Windows 11: Convert Physical PC to Hyper-V VM via Microsoft VMC, and how to Create Multiboot OS ISO files on a single bootable USB Disk.
This Windows feature can be very useful in an environment with a large volume of data by helping IT Managers to efficiently control the level of their storage resources. Kindly take a look at the YouTube video discussing the installation and configuration of FSRM.
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With FSRM, you can setup a size limit and filter the files users share on the active directory.
Installing File Server Resource Manager
1: Log in to the Server and open Server Manager. Click Manage > Add roles and features.
2. Click Next.
3. Select installation type “Role-based or feature-based installation“
4. Select the destination server from your Server Pool.
5. On the Server Roles expand File and Storage Services. Expand File and iSCSI Services, and check the box File Server Resource Manager. Click Next.
6. Leave the default selection on the features tab. Click Next to the Confirmation tab.
7. Click Install on the Confirmation Page.
8. In a few minutes, the installation will be completed successfully. Click Close.
Accessing and Configuring File Server Resource Manager Tool
After installing FSRM and restarting the server, you can access it via the Server Manager’s Tools menu.
Click Tools on the Server Manager > File Server Resource Manager.
FSRM has Five Key Features that you can configure:
1: Quota Management: This helps to set storage limits on folders to conserve storage space.
2: File Screening Management – This helps to control what type of files can be saved on a server by filtering.
3: Storage Reports Management: This helps to schedule report tasks and generate reports on disk usage in real time.
4: Classification Management: It automatically categorizes files based on a classification and property rule.
5: File Management Tasks: It help to automate file management, such as creating expiration tasks base on a specified rule.
Configuring Email Notification
Generate Email Notification which lets users know they can’t exceed the size limit. Right-click File Server Resource Manager (Local) > Click Configure Options.
2. On the Email Notifications page, enter your SMTP server name or IP address. Enter all recipients’ emails and separate them by semicolons. Enter the sender email and verify the settings by clicking on the Send Test Email button.
Configuring File Screening
3. Next, click the File Screen Audit tab. Check the box Record file screening activity in auditing database to record file screening activity that can be later reviewed.
4. Under the Report Locations you will see the report paths. You can decide to use the default or change these locations. Click OK to save your changes.
Configuring Quota Management
The next step will be creating a Quota Template and a Quota. Remember you can create a quota to set a data limit to a shared folder. Quota also have the ability to send threshold notifications via email, event log and report.
- Navigate and expand Quota Management.
- Right-click Quota Templates.
- Click Create Quota Template.
4. You can copy other quota template properties but its optional.
- Enter the Template name.
- Description (optional).
- Enter Space limit in MB.
- Select between Hard quota and Soft quota.
- Click the Add button to create Notification thresholds
- Enter the threshold figure in %
- Configure the Email message, Event Log, Command and Report settings.
- Click OK.
Note: SMTP Server needs to be configured if you want to use the email to send notifications and storage report.
5. Browse to the quota path. Select either Create quota on path or Auto apply template and create quotas on existing and new subfolders.
Under the “How do you want to configure quota properties” select the quota template you created earlier and click Create.
Testing the Configured Quota
After configuring both the quota template and quota you can go ahead to test it so that users can see the notification that they cannot exceed the size limit.
I hope you found this blog post on How to install and configure FSRM in Microsoft Windows Server Interesting and helpful. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask in the comment section.
