FSRM (File Server Resource Manager) is a suite of tools available in Windows Server that helps administrators manage and classify data stored on file servers. It provides powerful features for enforcing storage policies, monitoring storage usage, and generating reports to understand how storage is being utilized.
- Purpose: Helps administrators control and manage the amount of data that users can store on a file server.
- Hard Quota: Prevents users from exceeding the defined storage limit.
- Soft Quota: Allows users to exceed the storage limit but generates notifications or logs warnings.
- Customization: Quotas can be applied at volume or folder levels.
- Templates: Predefined quota templates for standardization across multiple servers.
- Purpose: Controls the types of files that users can store on the server.
-
- Active Screening: Blocks specific file types (e.g., .exe, .mp3) from being saved.
- Passive Screening: Allows saving but logs an event when restricted file types are stored.
- File Groups: Allows categorization of file types for easier management.
- Use Case: Prevents users from storing non-business-related files like music or videos.
- Purpose: Provides insights into how storage is being used and helps identify trends or issues.
- Common Reports:Duplicate Files Report: Identifies redundant files.
- Large Files Report: Lists files exceeding a specified size.
- Use by File Group: Breaks down storage usage by file type.
- Customization: Reports can be scheduled and delivered via email or saved to a location.
- Purpose: Automatically classifies files based on predefined rules and assigns properties (metadata).
- Use Case: Helps in tagging files for compliance, archiving, or retention policies.
- Rules: Can be based on file content, location, or properties.
- Purpose: Automates actions on files based on their classification or other criteria.
- Examples:Moving files to another location (e.g., archive folder).Deleting old or unnecessary files.Running scripts or custom commands for further processing.
FSRM operates as a role service of the File and Storage Services role in Windows Server. It integrates with Active Directory, enabling administrators to enforce organization-wide storage policies.
- Compliance and Data Governance: Enforcing data retention and storage compliance policies.
- Preventing Unauthorized Usage: Blocking storage of inappropriate or non-work-related files.
- Storage Optimization: Identifying large or duplicate files for cleanup.
- Data Classification: Automating metadata tagging for better organization and retrieval.
- Install the FSRM Role:Open Server Manager → Add Roles and Features → File and Storage Services → File Server Resource Manager.
- Access FSRM:Use the File Server Resource Manager console in Administrative Tools.
- Set Up Quotas, File Screens, or Reports:Use the respective wizards in the FSRM console.
- Limited to NTFS file systems.
- Performance overhead on servers with high I/O due to file classification and screening.
