Wednesday 9 November 2011

Step-by-Step Guide for File Server Resource Manager in Windows Server 2008





Step-by-Step Guide for File Server Resource Manager in Windows Server 2008

Microsoft Corporation
Published: February 2008
Abstract
File Server Resource Manager enables system administrators to understand how storage is being used and to manage the use of their storage by generating storage reports, applying quotas to volumes and folders, and screening files on the server. This guide provides step-by-step walkthroughs for creating quotas, creating file screens, and scheduling storage reports.




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Contents

Introduction to File Server Resource Manager 5
Using File Server Resource Manager 5
Opening File Server Resource Manager 6
Configuring File Server Resource Manager 7
Managing Storage Resources on a Remote Computer 7
Using Command-Line Tools for File Server Resource Manager 8
Working with Quotas 9
File Server Resource Manager Quotas vs. NTFS Disk Quotas 9
About Quota Templates 10
Creating a Quota 11
Creating a Quota Template 11
Updating Quotas by Editing a Quota Template 13
Creating an Auto Apply Quota 14
Editing an Auto Apply Quota 15
Monitoring Quota Use 16
Screening Files 17
Working with File Groups 18
Creating a File Screen 19
Creating a File Screen Exception 21
Monitoring File Screening 21
Generating Storage Reports 22
Storage Reports Available in File Server Resource Manager 23
Configuring Report Parameters 24
Scheduling a Set of Reports 25
Generating Reports on Demand 26
Backing up File Server Resource Manager Configurations 27
Test Scenarios for File Server Resource Manager 28
Quota Management Scenarios 29
Testing Quotas 29
Testing Auto Apply Quotas 30
Testing Quota Templates 32
File Screening Management Scenarios 33
Testing File Groups 34
Testing File Screens 34
Testing File Screen Templates 36
Storage Reports Management Scenarios 37
Testing Scheduled Reports 37
Testing On-Demand Reports 39
Clustering Scenarios 40
Preliminary Configuration Guidelines 40
Template Export and Import Scenarios 41
Preliminary Configuration Guidelines 42

Introduction to File Server Resource Manager


With the increasing demand on storage resources, as organizations rely more heavily on data than ever before, IT administrators face the challenge of overseeing a larger and more complex storage infrastructure, while at the same time, tracking the kind of information available in it. Today, managing storage resources not only includes data size and availability but also the enforcement of company policies and a very good understanding of how existing storage is being used, allowing for sound strategic planning and proper response to organizational changes.
File Server Resource Manager is a suite of tools that allows administrators to understand, control, and manage the quantity and type of data stored on their servers. By using File Server Resource Manager, administrators can place quotas on volumes, actively screen files and folders, and generate comprehensive storage reports. This set of advanced instruments not only helps the administrator to efficiently monitor existing storage resources, but it also aids in the planning and implementation of future policy changes.
By using File Server Resource Manager, you can perform the following tasks:
Create quotas to limit the space allowed for a volume or folder and generate e-mail and other notifications when the quota limits are approached or exceeded.
Automatically generate and apply quotas to all existing subfolders and any new subfolders in a volume or folder.
Create file screens to control the type of files that users can save, and send notifications when users attempt to save blocked files.
Define quota and file screening templates that can be easily applied to new volumes or folders and reused across an organization.
Schedule periodic storage reports that help identify trends in disk usage, or generate storage reports instantly, on demand.

Using File Server Resource Manager


This section tells you how to open File Server Resource Manager and introduces its features.
In this section:
Opening File Server Resource Manager
Configuring File Server Resource Manager
Managing Storage Resources on a Remote Computer
Using Command-Line Tools for File Server Resource Manager

Opening File Server Resource Manager

File Server Resource Manager is a role service of the File Services role in Windows Server 2008. It can be installed as part of the File Services role, using Server Manager. After you install the role service, you can use the File Server Resource Manager Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.
Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to use File Server Resource ManagerTo open File Server Resource Manager
In Server Manager:
a. Expand Roles, expand File Services, and then expand Share and Storage Management.
b. Click File Server Resource Manager.
-Or-
In Administrative Tools, click File Server Resource Manager.

Performing storage management tasks

The following is a list of tasks that you can perform from the three main nodes in the File Server Resource Manager snap-in.
Quota management
Create, manage, and obtain information about quotas, which are used to set a space limit on a volume or folder. By defining notification thresholds, you can send e-mail notifications, log an event, run a command or script, or generate reports when users approach or exceed a quota.
Create and manage quota templates to simplify quota management.
File screening management
Create, manage, and obtain information about file screens, which are used to block selected file types from a volume or folder. When users attempt to save unauthorized files, send an e-mail to the administrators or generate similar notifications.
Create file screen exceptions to override certain file screening rules.
Create and manage file screen templates to simplify file screening management.
Create and manage file groups. When used with file screens and file screen exceptions, file groups determine which files will be blocked and which will be allowed.
Storage reports management
Schedule and configure storage reports.
Generate storage reports on demand.

Configuring File Server Resource Manager

You can set File Server Resource Manager options in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box. These options include default e-mail notification settings, default parameters for storage reports, and other settings that apply to multiple tasks. Some of these settings can be modified when you work with quotas or screen files, or generate storage reports.To configure File Server Resource Manager options
1. In the console tree, right-click File Server Resource Manager, and then click Configure Options.
2. In the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box, click a tab: E-mail Notifications, Notification Limits, Storage Reports, Report Locations, or File Screen Audit.
3. Enter settings specific for your server environment.
4. Click OK.
*Important
To send e-mail notifications to administrators or to users who exceed quotas or attempt to save unauthorized files, or to send storage reports over e-mail, specify the SMTP server to use and the default e-mail settings in the E-mail Notifications tab.Important
If you will be generating reports to monitor file screening, select the Record file screening activity in auditing database check box in the File Screen Audit tab. This will log file screening activity in the auditing database, so that it can be used later to generate File Screening Audit reports.

Managing Storage Resources on a Remote Computer

To manage storage resources on a remote computer, you can connect to the computer from File Server Resource Manager. While you are connected, File Server Resource Manager will display the objects created on the remote computer, allowing you to manage them in the same way that you can manage resources on your local computer.
To manage remote storage resources with File Server Resource Manager:
The remote computer must be running Windows Server 2008 with File Server Resource Manager installed.
Enable the Remote File Server Resource Manager Management exception on the remote computer. This exception can be enabled by using Windows Firewall in Control Panel.
You must be logged on to the local computer with an account that is a member of the Administrators group on the remote computer.Important
To manage storage resources on a remote computer, the stand-alone File Server Resource Manager snap-in must be used, instead of the Server Manager snap-in. The stand-alone snap-in is available in Administrative Tools.To connect to a remote computer from File Server Resource Manager
1. In Administrative Tools, click File Server Resource Manager.
2. In the console tree, right-click File Server Resource Manager, and then click Connect to Another Computer.
3. In the dialog box that opens, click Another computer, and then type the name or browse to the server that you want to connect to.
4. Click OK to start the connection.

Using Command-Line Tools for File Server Resource Manager

If you prefer to work from the command line, you can use the following tools:
Dirquota.exe. Use to create and manage quotas, auto apply quotas, and quota templates.
Filescrn.exe. Use to create and manage file screens, file screen exceptions, file screen templates, and file groups.
Storrept.exe. Use to configure report parameters and generate storage reports on demand. You can also create report tasks and then use Schtasks.exe to schedule the tasks.
The tools are added to the system path when you install File Server Resource Manager, and they must be run from an Administrator Command Prompt window.
For more information about these command-line tools, see the following references:
Each tool has several options for performing actions similar to those that are available in the File Server Resource Manager MMC snap-in, and each can perform actions on either a local computer or a remote computer. To have a command perform an action on a remote computer instead of the local computer, use the /remote:ComputerName parameter. (Additional requirements for managing remote storage resources are listed in Managing Storage Resources on a Remote Computer earlier in this guide.)

Working with Quotas


By using File Server Resource Manager to create a quota for a volume or folder, you can limit the disk space that is allocated for it. The quota limit applies to the entire folder subtree.
You can create either a hard quota or a soft quota:
A hard quota prevents users from saving files after the space limit is reached and generates notifications when the volume of data reaches each configured threshold.
A soft quota does not enforce the quota limit but generates all configured notifications.
To determine what happens when the quota limit approaches, you can configure notification thresholds. For each threshold that you define, you can send e-mail notifications, log an event, run a command or script, or generate storage reports. For example, you might want to notify the administrator as well as the user who saved the file, when a folder reaches 85 percent of its quota limit, and then send another notification when the quota limit is reached. In some cases, you might want to run a script that raises the quota limit automatically when a threshold is reached.
When you create a quota on a volume or a folder, you can base the quota on a quota template or use custom properties. We recommend that, whenever possible, you base a quota on a quota template. A quota template can be reused for creating additional quotas and simplifies ongoing quota maintenance.
File Server Resource Manager can also generate quotas automatically. When you configure an auto apply quota, you apply a quota template to a parent volume or folder. A quota based on the template is then created for each of the existing subfolders, and a quota is automatically generated for each new subfolder that is created.
In this section:
File Server Resource Manager Quotas vs. NTFS Disk Quotas
About Quota Templates
Creating a Quota
Creating a Quota Template
Updating Quotas by Editing a Quota Template
Creating an Auto Apply Quota
Editing an Auto Apply Quota
Monitoring Quota Use

File Server Resource Manager Quotas vs. NTFS Disk Quotas

The following table outlines the advantages of using the quota management tools in File Server Resource Manager over NTFS disk quotas.
Advantages of Using File Server Resource Manager
Quota featuresFile Server Resource ManagerNTFS disk quotas
Quota trackingBy folder or by volumePer user on a volume
Disk usage calculationActual disk spaceLogical file size
Notification mechanismsE-mail, custom reports, running commands or scripts, event logsEvent logs only


About Quota Templates

File Server Resource Manager gives you flexibility in creating, using, and managing templates, both for quotas and for file screens.
A quota template defines a space limit, the type of quota (hard or soft), and a set of notifications to be generated when the quota limit approaches or is exceeded.
Quota templates simplify the creation and maintenance of quotas:
By using a quota template, you can apply a standard storage limit and a standard set of notification thresholds to many volumes and folders on servers throughout your organization.
If you base your quotas on a template, you can automatically update all quotas that are based on a specific template by editing that template. This feature simplifies the process of updating the properties of quotas by providing one central point where all changes can be made.
For example, you can create a User Quota template that you use to place a 200 MB limit on the personal folder of each user. For each user, you would then create a quota based on the User Quota template and assign it to the user’s folder. If you later decide to allow each user additional space on the server, you simply change the space limit in the User Quota template and choose to automatically update each quota that is based on that quota template.
File Server Resource Manager provides several quota templates. For example:
You can use the 200 MB Limit Reports to User template to place a hard 200 MB limit on the personal folder of each user.
For some folders, you might want to use the 200 MB Limit with 50 MB Extension template to automatically increase the quota limit when a 200 MB quota limit is reached.
Other default templates are designed for monitoring disk usage through soft quotas—for example, the Monitor 200 GB Volume Usage template and the Monitor 500 MB Share template. When you use these templates, users can exceed the quota limit, but e-mail and event log notifications are generated when they do so.
To view the default templates, click the Quota Templates node in the File Server Resource Manager console tree.

Creating a Quota

The following procedure guides you through the process of creating a quota that is based on a template, which is recommended practice. To create a quota that is based on a template
1. In Quota Management, click the Quota Templates node.
2. In the Results pane, select the template on which you will base your quota.
3. Right-click the template and click Create Quota from Template (or click Create Quota from Template in the Actions pane). This opens the Create Quota dialog box with the summary properties of the quota template displayed.
4. Under Quota path, type or browse to the volume or folder that the quota will apply to.
5. Click the Create quota on path option. Note that the quota properties will apply to the entire volume or folder.
6. Under Derive properties from this quota template, the template you used in step 2 to create your new quota is preselected (or you can select another template from the list). Note that the properties of the template are displayed under Summary of quota properties.
7. Click Create.
*Note
If you do not want to base your quota on a template, or if you want to edit the properties copied from a template, in the Create Quota dialog box you can choose Define custom quota properties, and then click Custom Properties. Note that if you create a quota with custom properties, you have the option of saving a quota template with the custom quota settings when you save the new quota. If you choose that option, a new template is saved, and then the template is applied to the new quota so that a link is maintained between the quota and the template.

Creating a Quota Template

The following procedure guides you through the process of creating a new quota template.To create a quota template
1. In Quota Management, click the Quota Templates node.
2. Right-click Quota Templates, and then click Create Quota Template (or click Create Quota Template in the Actions pane).
3. If you want to copy the properties of an existing template to use as a base for your new template, select a template from the Copy properties from quota template drop-down list. Then click Copy.
4. In the Template Name text box, enter a name for the new template.
5. In the Label text box, enter an optional descriptive label that will appear next to any quotas derived from the template.
6. Under Space Limit:
a. In the Limit text box, enter a number and choose a unit (KB, MB, GB, or TB) to specify the space limit for the quota.
b. Click the Hard quota or Soft quota option. (A hard quota prevents users from saving files after the space limit is reached and generates notifications when the volume of data reaches each configured threshold. A soft quota does not enforce the quota limit, but it generates all configured notifications.)
7. You can configure one or more optional threshold notifications for your quota template, as described in the procedure that follows. After you have selected all the quota template properties that you want to use, click OK to save the template.

Setting optional notification thresholds

When storage in a volume or folder reaches a threshold level that you define, File Server Resource Manager can send e-mail messages to administrators or specific users, log an event, run a command or a script, or generate storage reports. You can configure more than one type of notification for each threshold, and you can define multiple thresholds for any quota (or quota template). By default, no notifications are generated.Important
To send e-mail notifications and configure the storage reports with parameters that are appropriate for your server environment, you must first set the general File Server Resource Manager options (for more information, see Using File Server Resource Manager in this guide).To configure notifications for a quota template
1. In the Create Quota Template dialog box, under Notification thresholds, click Add. The Add Threshold dialog box appears.
2. To set a quota limit percentage that will generate a notification:
In the Generate notifications when usage reaches (%) text box, enter a percentage of the quota limit for the notification threshold. (The default percentage for the first notification threshold is 85 percent.)
3. To configure e-mail notifications, on the E-mail Message tab, set the following options:
To notify administrators when a threshold is reached, select the Send e-mail to the following administrators check box, and then enter the names of the administrative accounts that will receive the notifications. Use the format account@domain, and use semicolons to separate multiple accounts.
To send e-mail to the person who saved the file that reached the quota threshold, select the Send e-mail to the user who exceeded the threshold check box.
To configure the message, edit the default subject line and message body that are provided. The text that is in brackets inserts variable information about the quota event that caused the notification. For example, the [Source Io Owner] variable inserts the name of the user who saved the file that reached the quota threshold. To insert additional variables in the text, place the cursor in the location in the message where you want to insert the variable, select the variable that you want to insert, and then click Insert Variable.
To configure additional headers (including From, Cc, Bcc, and Reply-to), click Additional E-mail Headers.
4. To log an event, on the Event Log tab, select the Send warning to event log check box, and edit the default log entry.
5. To run a command or script, on the Command tab, select the Run this command or script check box. Then type the command, or click Browse to search for the location where the script is stored. You can also enter command arguments, select a working directory for the command or script, or modify the command security setting.
6. To generate one or more storage reports, on the Report tab, select the Generate reports check box, and then select which reports to generate. Optionally, you can enter one or more administrative e-mail recipients for the report or e-mail the report to the user who reached the threshold.Note
Reports are saved in the default location for incident reports, which is indicated on the Report tab. You can modify the default location in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box. For more information, see Using File Server Resource Manager in this guide.
7. Click OK to save your notification threshold.
8. Repeat these steps if you want to configure additional notification thresholds for the quota template.

Updating Quotas by Editing a Quota Template

When making changes to a quota template, you have the option of extending those changes to quotas that were created using the original quota template. You can choose to modify only those quotas that still match the original template or all quotas that were derived from the original template, regardless of any modifications made to the quotas since they were created. When you reapply a template, all properties in the template overwrite all properties in the quotas—the updates are not limited to the properties that you changed in the quota.Important
If you choose to apply the changes to all quotas that were derived from the original template, you will overwrite any custom quota properties that you may have created.To edit quota template properties
1. In Quota Templates, select the quota template that you want to modify.
2. Right-click the quota template, and then click Edit Template Properties (or in the Actions pane, under Selected Quota Templates, click Edit Template Properties). This opens the Quota Template Properties dialog box.
3. Perform all necessary changes. The settings and notification options are identical to those that you can set when you create a quota template. (For more information, see Creating a Quota Template earlier in this guide.) Optionally, you can copy the properties of a different template and modify them for this one.
4. When you are finished editing the template properties, click OK. This will open the Update Quotas Derived from Template dialog box.
5. Select the type of update that you want to apply:
If you have quotas that have been modified since they were created using the original template, and you do not want to change them, select Apply template only to derived quotas that match the original template. This option will update only those quotas that have not been edited since they were created with the original template.
If you want to modify all existing quotas that were created from the original template, select Apply template to all derived quotas.
If you want to keep the existing quotas unchanged, select Do not apply template to derived quotas.
6. Click OK.

Creating an Auto Apply Quota

Auto apply quotas allow you to assign a quota template to a volume or folder and specify that quotas based on that template will be automatically generated and applied to the existing subfolders, as well as to any new subfolders created in the future.
For example, you may define an auto apply quota for subfolders that are created on demand, for roaming profile users or for new users. Every time a new subfolder is created, a new quota entry is automatically generated for that subfolder, using the template defined in the auto apply quota profile of its parent folder. These automatically generated quota entries can then be viewed in the Results pane, under the Quotas node, as individually created quotas, which can be edited and modified separately.To create an auto apply quota
1. In Quota Management, click the Quotas node.
2. Right-click Quotas and then click Create Quota (or click Create Quota in the Actions pane). This opens the Create Quota dialog box.
3. Under Quota Path, type the name of or browse to the volume or parent folder that the quota profile will apply to. The auto apply quota will be applied to each of the subfolders (current and future) in this volume or folder.
4. Click Auto apply template and create quotas on existing and new subfolders.
5. Under Derive properties from this quota template, select the quota template that you want to apply from the drop-down list. Note that the properties for each template are displayed under Summary of quota properties.
6. Click Create.Note
You can verify all automatically generated quotas by opening the Quotas node and then clicking Refresh. An individual quota for each subfolder and the auto apply quota profile in the parent volume or folder are listed. Also, you can click Filter at the top of the Results pane, and then select to display only auto apply quotas.

Editing an Auto Apply Quota

When making changes to an auto apply quota, you have the option of extending those changes to existing quotas in the auto apply quota path. You can choose to modify only those quotas that still match the original auto apply quota, or all quotas in the auto apply quota path, regardless of any modifications made to the quotas since they were created. Since auto apply quotas are based on quota templates, any specific property changes have to be created either in the quota template used for the original auto apply quota or by creating a new quota template with the desired properties. For more information about how to modify an existing quota template, see Updating Quotas by Editing a Quota Template earlier in this guide.Note
If you choose to apply the changes to all quotas in the auto apply quota path, you will overwrite any custom quota properties that you may have created.To edit an auto apply quota
1. In Quotas, select the auto apply quota that you want to modify.Note
To list only auto apply quotas, click Filter at the top of the Results pane, and then select to display only auto apply quotas.
2. Right-click the auto apply quota that you want to modify, and then click Edit Quota Properties (or in the Actions pane, under Selected Quotas, click Edit Quota Properties). This opens the Edit Auto Apply Quota dialog box.
3. Under Derive properties from this quota template, select the new quota template that you want to apply. You can review the properties of each quota template in the summary list box.
4. Click OK. This will open the Update Quotas Derived from Auto Apply Quota dialog box.
5. Select the type of update you want to apply:
If you have quotas that have been modified since they were automatically generated, and you do not want to change them, select Apply auto apply quota only to derived quotas that match the original auto apply quota. This option will update only those quotas in the auto apply quota path that have not been edited since they were automatically generated.
If you want to modify all existing quotas in the auto apply quota path, select Apply auto apply quota to all derived quotas.
If you want to keep the existing quotas unchanged but make the modified auto quota effective for new subfolders in the auto apply quota path, select Do not apply auto apply quota to derived quotas.
6. Click OK.

Monitoring Quota Use

In addition to the information included in notifications, you can find out about quota usage by viewing quotas in Quota Management, by generating a Quota Usage report, or by creating soft quotas for the purpose of monitoring overall disk usage.

Viewing quota information

To view quota information in File Server Resource Manager, in the console tree, click Quota Management, and then click Quotas.
In the Results pane, you can quickly find out the quota limit, the percentage of the limit that is used, whether the quota is hard or soft, and other quota attributes.
Click Filter at the top of the Results pane to limit the display to regular or auto apply quotas, or to quotas that affect a specific path.
Click a column header to group quotas by that attribute.
To find out additional information about a quota, click the quota. The description area at the bottom of the Results pane lists the peak usage and notes the remaining space available on the volume on which the quota was created.
To view all quotas whose limits apply to a specific volume or folder, right-click the quota of interest (identified by its path) in the Results pane, and click View Quotas Affecting Folder. The Results pane shows the filtered list of applicable quotas.
-Or-
To filter the Results pane display to the quotas that affect a specific path:
a. Click Filter at the top of the pane.
b. In the Quota Filter dialog box, under Quotas affecting path, click either the Parents of the following folder option or the Children of the following folder option.
c. Enter or browse to the path.
d. Click OK.

Quota Usage report

Use the Quota Usage report to identify quotas that may soon be exceeded so that you can take the appropriate action. For instructions on generating a Quota Usage report, see Generating Storage Reports later in this guide.

Templates for monitoring disk usage

To monitor overall disk usage, you may also want to create soft quotas for volumes or shares. File Server Resource Manager provides the following default templates that you can use (or adapt) for this purpose: the Monitor 200 GB Volume Usage template and the Monitor 500 MB Share template.

Screening Files


Create file screens to block files that belong to particular file groups from being saved on a volume or in a folder tree. A file screen affects all folders in the designated path. For example, you might create a file screen to prevent users from storing audio and video files in their personal folders on the server.
You can configure File Server Resource Manager to generate e-mail or other notifications when a file screening event occurs.
A file screen can be either active or passive:
Active screening prevents users from saving unauthorized file types on the server.
Passive screening monitors users saving specific file types and generates any configured notifications, but does not prevent users from saving files.
A file screen does not prevent users and applications from accessing files that were saved to the path before the file screen was created, regardless of whether the files are members of blocked file groups.
To simplify the management of file screens, we recommend that you base your file screens on file screen templates. A file screen template defines a screening type (active or passive), a set of file groups to block, and a set of notifications to be generated when a user attempts to save an unauthorized file. File Server Resource Manager provides several default file screen templates, which you can use to block audio and video files, executable files, image files, and e-mail files—and to meet some other common administrative needs. To view the default templates, select the File Screen Templates node in the File Server Resource Manager console tree.
For additional flexibility, you can configure a file screen exception in a subfolder of a path where you have created a file screen. When you place a file screen exception on a subfolder, you allow users to save file types there that would otherwise be blocked by the file screen applied to the parent folder.
In this section:
Working with File Groups
Creating a File Screen
Creating a File Screen Exception
Monitoring File Screening

Working with File Groups

Before you begin working with file screens, you must understand the role of file groups in determining which files are screened. A file group is used to define a namespace for a file screen or a file screen exception, or to generate a Files by File Group storage report.
A file group consists of a set of file name patterns, which are grouped into files to include and files to exclude:
Files to include: files that belong in the group.
Files to exclude: files that do not belong in the group.
For example, an Audio Files file group might include the following file name patterns:
Files to include: *.mp*: includes all audio files created in current and future MPEG formats (MP2, MP3, and so forth).
Files to exclude: *.mpp: excludes files created in Microsoft Project (.mpp files), which would otherwise be included by the *.mp* inclusion rule.
File Server Resource Manager provides several default file groups, which you can view in File Screening Management by clicking the File Groups node. You can define additional file groups, or change the files to include and exclude. Any changes that you make to a file group affect all existing file screens, templates, and reports to which the file group has been added.Note
For convenience, you can modify file groups when you edit the properties of a file screen, file screen exception, file screen template, or the Files by File Group report. Note that any changes that you make to a file group from these property sheets will affect all items that use that file group.To create a file group
1. In File Screening Management, click the File Groups node.
2. In the Actions pane, click Create File Group. This opens the Create File Group Properties dialog box.
(Alternatively, while you edit the properties of a file screen, file screen exception, file screen template, or Files by File Group report, under Maintain file groups, click Create.)
3. In the Create File Group Properties dialog box, type a name for the file group.
4. Add files to include and files to exclude:
For each set of files that you want to include in the file group, in Files to include, type a file name pattern, and then click Add.
Standard rules for wildcard characters apply. For example, *.exe selects all executable files.  
For each set of files that you want to exclude from the file group, in Files to exclude, type a file name pattern, and then click Add.
Note that standard wildcard rules apply—for example, *.exe selects all executable files.  
5. Click OK.

Creating a File Screen

In the following procedure, you will create a new file screen, and in the process save a file screen template based on the custom file screen properties that you defined. The new template will be applied to the file screen so that a link is maintained between the file screen and the template. In a similar way, you can save a new quota template based on the custom properties of a quota you create.To create a file screen
1. In File Screening Management, click the File Screens node.
2. Right-click File Screens, and click Create File Screen (or click Create File Screen in the Actions pane). This opens the Create File Screen dialog box.
3. Under File screen path, type the name of or browse to the folder that the file screen will apply to. The file screen will apply to the selected folder and all of its subfolders.
4. Under How do you want to configure file screen properties, click Define custom file screen properties, and then click Custom Properties. This opens the File Screen Properties dialog box.
5. If you want to copy the properties of an existing template to use as a base for your new file screen, select a template from the Copy properties from template drop-down list. Then click Copy.
6. Under Screening type, click the Active screening or Passive screening option. (Active screening prevents users from saving files that are members of blocked file groups, and generates notifications when users try to save unauthorized files. Passive screening sends configured notifications, but it does not prevent users from saving files.)
7. Under File groups, select each file group that you want to include in your file screen.
If you want to view the file types a file group includes and excludes, click the file group label, and then click Edit. To create a new file group, click Create.
Additionally, you can configure File Server Resource Manager to generate one or more notifications by setting the following options on the E-mail Message, Event Log, Command, and Report tabs.
8. If you want to generate e-mail notifications, on the E-mail Message tab, set the following options:
To notify administrators when a user or application attempts to save an unauthorized file, select the Send e-mail to the following administrators check box, and then enter the names of the administrative accounts that will receive the notifications. Use the format account@domain, and use semicolons to separate multiple accounts.
To send e-mail to the user who attempted to save the file, select the Send e-mail to the user who attempted to save an unauthorized file check box.
To configure the message, edit the default subject line and message body that are provided. The text that is in brackets inserts variable information about the file screen event that caused the notification. For example, the [Source Io Owner] variable inserts the name of the user who attempted to save an unauthorized file. To insert additional variables in the text, click Insert Variable.
To configure additional headers (including From, Cc, Bcc, and Reply-to), click Additional E-mail Headers.  
9. If you want to log an error to the event log when a user tries to save an unauthorized file, on the Event Log tab, select the Send warning to event log check box. Optionally, edit the default log entry.
10. If you want to run a command or script when a user tries to save an unauthorized file:
On the Command tab, select the Run this command or script check box. Then type the command, or click Browse to search for the location where the script is stored. You can also enter command arguments, select a working directory for the command or script, or modify the command security setting.
11. If you want to generate one or more storage reports when a user tries to save an unauthorized file:
On the Report tab, select the Generate reports check box, and then select which reports to generate. The reports will be saved in the default location for incident reports, which you can modify in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box. Optionally, you can choose one or more administrative e-mail recipients for the report or e-mail the report to the user who attempted to save the file.
12. After you have selected all of the file screen properties that you want to use, click OK to close the File Screen Properties dialog box.
13. In the Create File Screen dialog box, click Create to save the file screen. This opens the Save Custom Properties as a Template dialog box.
14. To save a template that is based on these customized properties, click Save the custom properties as a template and type a name for the template. This option will apply the template to the new file screen, and you can use the template to create additional file screens in the future.
15. Click OK.

Creating a File Screen Exception

Occasionally, you will need to allow exceptions to file screening. For example, you might want to block video files from a file server, but you need to allow your training group to save the video files for their computer-based training. To allow files that other file screens are blocking, create a file screen exception.
A file screen exception is a special type of file screen that overrides any file screening that would otherwise apply to a folder, and all its subfolders, in a designated exception path. That is, it creates an exception to any rules derived from a parent folder. To determine which file types the exception will allow, file groups are assigned.To create a file screen exception
1. In File Screening Management, click the File Screens node.
2. Right-click File Screens, and click Create File Screen Exception (or click Create File Screen Exception in the Actions pane). This opens the Create File Screen Exception dialog box.
3. In the Exception path text box, type or select the path that the exception will apply to. The exception will apply to the selected folder and all of its subfolders.
4. To specify which files to exclude from file screening:
Under File groups, select each file group that you want to exclude from file screening.
If you want to view the file types that a file group includes and excludes, click the file group label, and click Edit.
To create a new file group, click Create.
5. Click OK.

Monitoring File Screening

In addition to the information in your file screen notifications, you can monitor file screening by viewing file screens in the File Screens Results pane and by generating a File Screening Audit report.

Viewing file screening information

To view file screening information in the File Server Resource Manager console tree, click File Screening Management, and then click the File Screens node.
For each file screen, the Results pane displays the following information: the path that the file screen was created for, the type of file screen (file screen or exception), the file groups included in the file screen, the template on which the file screen is based, and whether the current configuration of the file screen matches the configuration of the template.
For the selected file screen, the description area lists all file groups that are being blocked on the file screen path. This includes file groups that are blocked by the current file screen as well as file groups blocked by file screens created higher in the file screen path.
To filter the Results pane display to the file screens that affect a specific path:
a. Click Filter at the top of the pane.
b. In the File Screen Filter dialog box, under File Screen path, click either the Parents of the following folder option or the Children of the following folder option.
c. Type or browse to the path.
d. Click OK.

File Screening Audit report

Use the File Screening Audit report to identify individuals or applications that violate file screening policy. For instructions on generating a File Screening Audit report, see Generating Storage Reports later in this guide.Important
Before you run a File Screening Audit report, in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box, on the File Screen Audit tab, verify that the Record file screening activity in auditing database check box is selected.

Generating Storage Reports


File Server Resource Manager can generate reports that will help you understand file use on the storage server. You can use the storage reports to monitor disk usage patterns (by file type or user), identify duplicate files and dormant files, track quota usage, and audit file screening.
From the Storage Reports Management node, you can create report tasks, which are used to schedule one or more periodic reports, or you can generate reports on demand. For on-demand reports, as with scheduled reports, current data is gathered before the report is generated.
Reports can also be generated automatically to notify you when a user exceeds a quota threshold or tries to save an unauthorized file. For more information about generating incident reports for quota and file screen notifications, see Working with Quotas and Screening Files earlier in this guide.
In this section:
Storage Reports Available in File Server Resource Manager
Configuring Report Parameters
Scheduling a Set of Reports
Generating Reports on Demand

Storage Reports Available in File Server Resource Manager

The following table describes each storage report that is available.

ReportDescription
Duplicate FilesLists files that appear to be duplicates (files with the same size and last-modified time). Use this report to identify and reclaim disk space that is wasted because of duplicate files.
File Screening AuditLists file screening events that have occurred on the server for a specified number of days. Use this report to identify users or applications that violate screening policies.Important
Before you run this report, in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box, on the File Screen Audit tab, verify that the Record file screening activity in auditing database check box is selected.
Files by File GroupLists files that belong to specified file groups. Use this report to identify file group usage patterns and to identify file groups that occupy large amounts of disk space. This can help you determine which file screens to configure on the server.
Files by OwnerLists files, grouped by users who own them. Use this report to analyze usage patterns on the server and to identify users who use large amounts of disk space.
Large FilesLists files that are of a specified size or larger. Use this report to identify files that are consuming the most disk space on the server. This can help you quickly reclaim large quantities of disk space.
Least Recently Accessed FilesLists files that have not been accessed for a specified number of days. This can help you identify seldom used data that might be archived and removed from the server.
Most Recently Accessed FilesLists files that have been accessed within a specified number of days. Use this report to identify frequently used data that needs to be highly available.
Quota UsageLists quotas for which the quota usage is higher than a specified percentage. Use this report to identify quotas with high usage levels so that appropriate action can be taken.Note
This report includes quotas that were created for volumes and folders in File Server Resource Manager only.


Configuring Report Parameters

Except for the Duplicate Files report, all reports have configurable report parameters, which determine the content that the report includes. The parameters vary with the type of report. For some reports, report parameters can be used to select the volumes and folders on which to report, set a minimum file size to include, or restrict a report to files owned by specific users.To configure the default parameters for storage reports
1. In the console tree, right-click File Server Resource Manager, and then click Configure Options. The File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box opens.
2. On the Storage Reports tab, under Configure default parameters, select the type of report that you want to modify.
3. Click Edit Parameters.
4. Depending on the type of report that you select, different report parameters will be available for editing. Perform all necessary modifications, and then click OK to save them as the default parameters for that type of report.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each type of report that you want to edit.
To see a list of the default parameters for all reports, click Review Reports. Then click Close.
6. Click OK.

The default parameters are used in the incident reports that are generated automatically during quota and file screen notifications. You can override the default parameters for scheduled reports and reports generated on demand.

Saving reports

Regardless of how you generate a report, or whether you choose to view the report immediately, the report is saved on disk. Incident reports are saved in Dynamic HTML (DHTML) format. You can save scheduled and on-demand reports in DHTML, HTML, XML, CSV, and text formats.
Scheduled reports, on-demand reports, and incident reports are saved in separate folders within a designated report repository. By default, the reports are stored in subdirectories of the %Systemdrive%\StorageReports\ folder. To change the default report locations, in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box, on the Report Locations tab, specify where to save each type of storage report.

Scheduling a Set of Reports

To generate a set of reports on a regular schedule, you schedule a report task. The report task specifies which reports to generate and what parameters to use, which volumes and folders to report on, how often to generate the reports, and which file formats to save them in.
When you schedule a set of reports, the reports are saved in the report repository. You also have the option of e-mailing the reports to a group of administrators.To schedule a report task
1. Click the Storage Reports Management node.
2. Right-click Storage Reports Management, and then click Schedule a New Report Task (or click Schedule a New Report Task in the Actions pane). This opens the Storage Reports Task Properties dialog box.
3. To select volumes or folders on which to generate reports:
a. Under Scope, click Add.
b. Browse to the volume or folder that you want to generate the reports on, select it, and then click OK to add the path to the list.
c. Add as many volumes or folders as you want to include in the reports. (To remove a volume or folder, click the path, and then click Remove.)
4. To specify which reports to generate:
Under Report data, select each report that you want to include. By default, all reports are generated for a scheduled report task.
To see a list of parameters for all the selected reports, click Review Selected Reports. Then click Close.
To edit the parameters of a report:
a. Click the report label, and then click Edit Parameters.
b. In the Report Parameters dialog box, edit the parameters as needed, and then click OK.
5. To specify the formats for saving the reports:
Under Report formats, select one or more formats for the scheduled reports. By default, reports are generated in Dynamic HTML (DHTML).
6. To deliver copies of the reports to administrators by e-mail:
On the Delivery tab, select the Send reports to the following administrators check box, and then enter the names of the administrative accounts that will receive reports. Use the format account@domain, and use semicolons to separate multiple accounts.
7. To schedule the reports:
On the Schedule tab, click Create Schedule, and then in the Schedule dialog box, click New. This displays a default schedule set for 9:00 A.M. daily, but you can modify the default schedule. When you have finished configuring the schedule, click OK.
8. To save the report task, click OK.
*Note
To minimize the impact of report processing on server performance, generate multiple reports on the same schedule so that the data is only gathered once. To quickly add reports to existing report tasks, under Storage Reports Management, click Add or Remove Reports for a Report Task in the Actions pane. This action allows you to add or remove reports from all existing report tasks and to edit the report parameters. To change schedules or delivery addresses, you must edit individual report tasks.

Generating Reports on Demand

During daily operations, you may want to generate reports on demand to analyze different aspects of current disk usage on the server. Before the reports are generated, current data is gathered.
When you generate reports on demand, the reports are saved in the report repository, but no report task is created for later use. You can optionally view the reports immediately after they are generated or e-mail the reports to a group of administrators.To generate reports on demand
1. Click the Storage Reports Management node.
2. Right-click Storage Reports Management, and then click Generate Reports Now (or click Generate Reports Now in the Actions pane). This opens the Storage Reports Task Properties dialog box.
3. To select volumes or folders on which to generate reports:
a. Under Scope, click Add.
b. Browse to the volume or folder on which you want to generate the reports, select it, and then click OK to add the path to the list.
c. Add as many volumes or folders as you want to include in the reports. (To remove a volume or folder, click the path, and then click Remove.)
4. To specify which reports to generate:
Under Report data, select each report that you want to include.
To edit the parameters of a report:
a. Click the report label, and then click Edit Parameters.
b. In the Report Parameters dialog box, edit the parameters as needed, and then click OK.
To see a list of parameters for all the selected reports, click Review Selected Reports. Then click Close.
5. To specify the formats for saving the reports:
Under Report formats, select one or more formats for the scheduled reports. By default, reports are generated in Dynamic HTML (DHTML).
6. To deliver copies of the reports to administrators by e-mail:
On the Delivery tab, select the Send reports to the following administrators check box, and then enter the names of the administrative accounts that will receive reports. Use the format account@domain, and use semicolons to separate multiple accounts.
7. To gather the data and generate the reports, click OK. This opens the Generate Storage Reports dialog box.
8. Select how you want to generate the on-demand reports:
If you want to view the reports immediately after they are generated, click Wait for reports to be generated and then display them. Each report opens in its own window.
To view the reports later, click Generate reports in the background.
Both options save and, if you enabled delivery by e-mail, send the reports to administrators in the formats that you selected.
*Note
If you choose to open the reports immediately, you must wait while the reports are generated. Processing time varies, depending on the types of reports and the scope of the data.

Backing up File Server Resource Manager Configurations


File Server Resource Manager uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) writer infrastructure to maintain two sets of metadata (in the form of XML files) to manage its state:
System metadata, including templates, file groups, and default configuration options such as e-mail settings and report parameters. This information is saved in the System Volume Information folder in the server root directory.
Volume metadata, including configured quotas and file screens and the file screen auditing log. This information is saved in the System Volume Information folder on any volume where quotas or file screens have been created. To provide flexible support for management of storage resources in a variety of scenarios, including failover clusters, these settings travel with the volume.
To perform a full backup and restore of File Server Resource Manager configurations, you must use a backup utility such as Windows Server Backup that is compatible with the VSS writer infrastructure. System metadata for File Server Resource Manager is backed up and restored as part of the system state, and volume metadata is backed up and restored on any volume under management. In a cluster, the backup and restore of File Server Resource Manager system metadata depends on the successful backup and restore of the cluster database.Note
To back up only your quota templates, file screen templates, and file groups, you can export them to XML files in a disk location that you choose by using the command-line tools dirquota.exe and filescrn.exe. Using these exported XML files, you can restore templates and file groups on your local computer at a later date, or import them on a remote computer with File Server Resource Manager installed. For more information about template export and import, see Template Export and Import Scenarios later in this guide.

Test Scenarios for File Server Resource Manager


Before deploying File Server Resource Manager on a production server, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the different quota, file screening, and reporting options, by performing the following scenarios on a test server.Important
To successfully perform some of the test scenarios presented in this guide, you must first configure the general File Server Resource Manager options, including e-mail notification parameters. For more information, see "Configuring File Server Resource Manager" in Using File Server Resource Manager earlier in this guide.
In this section:
Quota Management Scenarios
File Screening Management Scenarios
Storage Reports Management Scenarios
Clustering Scenarios
Template Export and Import Scenarios

Quota Management Scenarios


By creating a quota for a volume or folder, you can limit the disk space that is allocated for that volume or folder. The Quota Management node of File Server Resource Manager includes all the necessary options to work with quotas.
There are three groups of scenarios for testing Quota Management:
Testing Quotas
Scenario 1: Quotas for soft monitoring
Scenario 2: Quotas on group shares
Testing Auto Apply Quotas
Scenario 1: Auto apply quotas on user folders
Scenario 2: Auto apply quotas on shared folders under a common root
Testing Quota Templates
Scenario 1: Creating a new template from an existing template
Scenario 2: Using a quota template to update quotasNote
For more information about Quota Management, the different tasks available in this node, and step-by-step procedures, see Working with Quotas earlier in this guide.

Testing Quotas

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the quota tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: Quotas for soft monitoring

In some situations, rather than creating a hard limit on the amount of allocated space, you may want to perform soft monitoring of a volume or a folder, so that you receive notifications when predetermined usage thresholds have been exceeded. This is a very useful technique that alerts administrators before a shortage of storage space occurs.

Test setup:

Create a soft quota on one of the volumes in your server (for example, D:\ or E:\) using the following parameters:
Quota path: volume root directory
Space limit: total volume capacity
Quota type: soft quota
Notification thresholds:
Warning (100%): send e-mail to administrator, send warning to the event log
Warning (85%): send e-mail to administrator, send warning to the event log
Warning (80%): send e-mail to administrator
Warning (50%): send e-mail to administrator

Verification:

Verify that it is still possible to save files to the volume.
Copy or generate enough data in the volume to exceed any of the notification thresholds and then verify that the notifications that you selected have been created and received.Note
To generate large files, you can use the fsutil command with the following parameters: fsutil file createnew <file_name> <file_size>, where file_name is the path and name of the file that you want to create and file_size is the size of the file in bytes. For example: fsutil file createnew D:\bigfile.txt 1024000. This will create a file called bigfile.txt on the root directory of volume D, with an approximate size of 1 megabyte (MB).

Scenario 2: Quotas on group shared resources

Several templates for working with quotas are included with File Server Resource Manager. One of these templates is the Monitor 500 MB Share, which is intended to be used when administering a shared folder on your server.

Test setup:

Using the Monitor 500 MB Share quota template, create a quota on a shared folder on your server (for example: E:\Scratch). For more information about how to create a quota from a template, see Working with Quotas earlier in this guide.

Verification:

Copy or generate enough data in the shared folder to exceed any of the notification thresholds and then verify that the selected notifications have been created and received.

Testing Auto Apply Quotas

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the auto apply quota tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: Auto apply quotas on user folders

It is common that each user in an organization has a folder hosted on a file server. Usually, all of these user folders are located under a common root and a new folder is created every time a new user is granted access to the server. Using auto apply quotas can simplify the creation of quotas for user folders, as well as the administration of these quotas.

Test setup:

Create a folder called Users on the root directory of a volume. Under this folder, create subfolders, one for each user. For example:
D:\Users\User01
D:\Users\User02
D:\Users\User03



D:\Users\User10
When you have finished creating all of the Users subfolders, create an auto apply quota on the Users folder, using the 100 MB Limit template. For more information about how to create an auto apply quota, see "Creating an Auto Apply Quota" in Working with Quotas earlier in this guide.

Verification:

Under Quotas, click Refresh in the Actions pane.
In the Results pane, verify that an individual quota was automatically generated for each subfolder in the Users folder.
In the Results pane, verify that the auto apply quota template is linked to the Users (parent) folder.
Create a new subfolder in the Users folder (for example: D:\Users\User11) and verify that a new individual quota is automatically generated for the new subfolder. (To see the new quota, under Quotas, click Refresh.)
Edit the auto apply quota that you just created and select to derive properties from a different quota template (for example, the 200 MB Limit Reports to User template). Choose to apply the auto apply quota changes to all derived quotas. Then, under Quotas, verify that all of the individual quotas for the Users subfolders have now been updated with the properties of the new quota template.

Scenario 2: Auto apply quotas on shared folders under a common root

Auto apply quotas can also be applied to a volume root. This scenario is especially useful when, for example, a volume is used to directly host a number of folders shared by the organization.

Test setup:

Create several shared folders on the root directory of a volume in your server, for example:
E:\Accounting (shared as: \\Server_name\Accounting)
E:\Finance (shared as: \\Server_name\Finance)
E:\Marketing (shared as: \\Server_name\Marketing)
E:\Payroll (shared as: \\Server_name\Payroll)
E:\Sales (shared as: \\Server_name\Sales)
When you have finished creating the folders and their shares, create an auto apply quota on the volume root (in this example, on E:\), using the 100 MB Limit template. For more information about how to create an auto quota, see "Creating an Auto Apply Quota" in Working with Quotas earlier in this guide.

Verification:

Under Quotas, in the Results pane, verify that an individual quota was automatically generated for each of the folders in the volume and that a shared path is listed for it.
From a different server in the network, access any of the shared folders that you created, and copy or generate enough data in that shared folder to exceed the 100 MB limit. Verify that the quota limit is enforced on the shared folder.

Testing Quota Templates

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the quota template tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: Creating a new template from an existing template

File Server Resource Manager has several default templates that can be easily modified to create templates that are more appropriate for your server environment.

Test setup:

Under Quota Templates, click Create Quota Template in the Actions pane and copy the properties from the 100 MB Limit template. Then modify the following parameters:
Template name: 50 MB Limit
Space limit: 50 MB
Quota type: soft quota
Notification thresholds:
Warning (100%): send e-mail to administrator, send warning to the event log
Warning (85%): send e-mail to administrator, send warning to the event log
Warning (50%): send e-mail to administrator
When you are finished performing these changes, click OK to save the new template.

Verification:

Under Quota Templates, in the Results pane, verify that the new 50 MB Limit template is listed.

Scenario 2: Using a quota template to update quotas

By basing your quotas on templates, you can automatically update all quotas that are based on a specific template simply by editing that template. This feature simplifies the process of updating quota properties by providing one central point where all changes can be made.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform the first scenario for testing auto apply quotas (Scenario 1: Auto apply quotas on user folders) and the first scenario for testing quota templates (Scenario 1: Create a new template from an existing template).
When you have completed these two scenarios, under Quotas, edit the auto apply quota for the Users folder and select to derive properties from the 50 MB Limit template. When prompted, choose to apply the auto apply quota changes to all derived quotas.

Verification:

Under Quotas, in the Results pane, verify that all the quotas created for the subfolders of the Users folder have now been updated with the properties of the 50 MB Limit template.
Next, under Quota Templates, select to edit the 50 MB Limit template and modify the following properties:
Space limit: 25 MB
Quota type: hard quota
When prompted, select to apply the template changes to all derived quotas. Finally, under Quotas, verify that all the individual quotas for the Users subfolders have now been updated with the new 25 MB quota limit and that the type of quota has been set to "hard."

File Screening Management Scenarios


File screens are used to block specific types of files from being saved on a volume or in a folder tree. To specify which files to screen, you assign one or more file groups to a file screen. The File Screening Management node of File Server Resource Manager includes all the necessary options to work with file screens.
There are three groups of scenarios for testing File Screening Management:
Testing File Groups
Scenario 1: Using a file group to block specific file names
Testing File Screens
Scenario 1: File screens on user folders
Scenario 2: File screen exceptions on specific user folders
Testing File Screen Templates
Scenario 1: A file screen to monitor executable and system files saved on a shared folder
Scenario 2: Using a file screen template to update file screensNote
For more information about File Screening Management, the different tasks that are available in this node, and step-by-step procedures, see Screening Files earlier in this guide.

Testing File Groups

We recommend using the following scenario to familiarize yourself with some of the file group tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: Using a file group to block specific file names

File Server Resource Manager includes several default file groups for screening, which include various common file types, based on their file name pattern. But you may want to block specific files that do not follow a specific pattern.

Test setup:

Under File Groups, click Create File Group in the Actions pane to create a new file group with the following properties:
File group name: Specific Files
Files to include: file_name1.exe, file_name2.dll, file_name3.txt
Files to exclude: (leave blank)

Verification:

Under File Groups, in the Results pane, verify that the new Specific Files file group is listed and includes the specific files.

Testing File Screens

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the file screen tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: File screens on user folders

File screens can be used to block specific types of files from being saved on shared storage resources. When a file screen is applied on a specific folder, the screening properties apply to that folder and all of its subfolders.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform the first scenario for testing auto apply quotas (see "Scenario 1: Auto apply quotas on user folders" in Quota Management Scenarios earlier in this guide).
When you have completed this scenario and have created all of the user folders, create a file screen on the parent Users folder, using the Block Executable Files template. For more information about how to create a file screen based on a file screen template, see "Creating a File Screen" in Screening Files earlier in this guide.

Verification:

Under File Screens, in the Results pane, verify that the new file screen for the Users folder is listed.
Verify that you cannot save a file in the parent Users folder with any of the extensions included in the Executable Files file group (for example, .exe, .cmd, .bat, and so on).
Verify that you cannot save the same type of files in any of the user folders (for example, in: D:\Users\User01).
Create a new subfolder inside a user folder (for example: D:\Users\User01\Temp) and verify that you cannot save the same type of files in the newly created subfolder.

Scenario 2: File screen exceptions on specific user folders

File screen exceptions expand the flexibility of the file screening capabilities in File Server Resource Manager by creating an exception to any screening rules derived from a parent folder.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform the first scenario for testing file screens (see Scenario 1: File screens on user folders earlier in this guide).
When you have completed this scenario, apply a file screen exception on one of the user folders (for example: D:\Users\User02) by selecting the Executable Files file group to be excluded from screening. For more information about how to create a file screen exception, see "Creating a File Screen Exception" in Screening Files earlier in this guide.

Verification:

Under File Screens, in the Results pane, verify that the new file screen exception is listed for the specific user folder that you selected.
Verify that you can now save files in this folder with any of the extensions included in the Executable Files file group (for example, .exe, .cmd, .bat, and so on).
Verify that you still cannot save a file in the Users folder (the parent folder of the one you selected for the file screen exception) with any of the extensions included in the Executable Files file group.

Testing File Screen Templates

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the file screen template tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: A file screen to monitor executable and system files saved on a shared folder

File screens can also be used to generate notifications when specific types of files are saved on a volume or on a folder, without blocking the user from saving them.

Test setup:

Using the Monitor Executable and System Files template, create a file screen on a shared folder on your server (for example, E:\Scratch). For more information about how to create a file screen based on a file screen template, see "Creating a File Screen" in Screening Files earlier in this guide.

Verification:

Copy or generate a file in the shared folder, with any of the extensions included in the Executable Files file group (for example, .exe, .cmd, .bat, and so on) and then verify that the selected notifications have been created and received.
Copy or generate a file in the shared folder, with any of the extensions included in the System Files file group (for example, .dll, .sys, .vxd, and so on) and then verify that the selected notifications have been created and received.

Scenario 2: Using a file screen template to update file screens

As with quota templates, if you base your file screens on file screen templates, you can automatically update all file screens that are based on a specific template simply by editing that template.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform the first scenario for testing file screens (see Scenario 1: File screens on user folders earlier in this guide).
When you have completed this scenario, under File Screen Templates, edit the Block Executable Files template and select to also block files in the Backup Files file group. When prompted, select to apply the template changes to all derived file screens.

Verification:

Under File Screens, in the Results pane, verify that the file screen for the Users folder now includes Backup Files in the list of file groups to block.
Verify that you cannot save a file in the Users folder or in its subfolders with any of the extensions included in the Backup Files file group (for example, .old, .bak, .bck).
Under File Groups, select to edit the Backup Files group and add the following parameter in Files to exclude: test_file.bak
Finally, verify that you can now save a file called test_file.bak in the Users folder and in any of its subfolders.

Storage Reports Management Scenarios


File Server Resource Manager offers advanced reporting capabilities to help you understand how storage is used and how quota and file screening tasks are behaving. The Storage Reports Management node of File Server Resource Manager includes all the necessary options to schedule and generate storage reports.
There are two sets of scenarios for testing Storage Reports Management:
Testing Scheduled Reports
Scenario 1: Scheduling a report to monitor quota usage
Scenario 2: Adding a report to a scheduled report task
Testing On-Demand Reports
Scenario 1: Running a report of all duplicate files in a volume
Scenario 2: Running a report to monitor file screening activityNote
For more information about Storage Reports Management, the different tasks available in this node, and step-by-step procedures, see Generating Storage Reports earlier in this guide.

Testing Scheduled Reports

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the scheduled report tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: Scheduling a report to monitor quota usage

Several predefined reports are included with File Server Resource Manager. One of these is the Quota Usage report. This report lists all quotas that exceed a selected percentage of the quota limit (for example, 85%). You can use the Quota Usage report to continuously monitor storage resources on your server and to identify resources that may soon exceed their quota limit.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform any of the scenarios for testing quotas or auto apply quotas (see Quota Management Scenarios earlier in this guide).
When you are finished applying some quotas to a volume on your server, under Storage Reports Management, click Schedule a New Report Task in the Actions pane and create a report task with the following parameters:
Scope: the volume in your server where quotas have been applied (for example, D:\)
Report data: Quota Usage (clear all other reports)
Edit Parameters:
Minimum quota usage: 50% (if necessary, adjust to ensure that the report generates data)
Report formats: DHTML
Delivery: send the report to your e-mail address
Schedule: click Create Schedule, and then click New
Schedule Task: Once
Start time: 5 to 10 minutes after your current time

Verification

Under Storage Reports Management, in the Results pane, verify that the new report task is listed and that the schedule and next run time values are those that you selected.
Wait for the scheduled run time and then allow a few minutes for the report to be generated and for the e-mail to be sent and received. When the e-mail has been received, scan through the report information and scroll to the end of the report to see the quota usage data.

Scenario 2: Adding a report to a scheduled report task

Reports can be easily added to or removed from existing report tasks.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform the first scenario for testing scheduled reports (see Scenario 1: Scheduling a report to monitor quota usage earlier in this guide).
When you have completed this scenario, under Storage Reports Management, click Add or Remove Reports for a Report Task in the Actions pane. Edit the parameters of the Large Files report to include files with a minimum file size of 20 MB, and then add this report to the report task you created in the previous scenario.

Verification

Under Storage Reports Management, in the Results pane, verify that the report task now includes the Large Files report.
Right-click the report task and click Run Report Task Now. When asked how you want to proceed, click the Generate reports in the background option, and then click OK. Wait a few minutes for the reports to be generated and for the e-mails to be sent and received. Verify that you receive two e-mails: a separate e-mail for each report in the task.

Testing On-Demand Reports

We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with some of the on-demand report tasks in File Server Resource Manager.

Scenario 1: Running a report of all duplicate files in a volume

A very useful report to run is the Duplicate Files report. This report not only lists all duplicate files in a volume or folder but also presents statistical data related to the space these duplicate files occupy on disk. You can use the information collected in this report to quickly reclaim wasted disk space.

Test setup:

Under Storage Reports Management, click Generate Reports Now in the Actions pane and then choose the following parameters:
Scope: the volume in your server where the system root folder is located (for example, C:\)
Report data: Duplicate Files (clear all other reports)
Report formats: DHTML
When asked how you want to proceed, click the Wait for reports to be generated and then display them option, and then click OK.

Verification

Wait a few minutes for the report to be generated. When completed, it will open automatically in Windows Internet Explorer.
View the report information and scroll to the end of the report to see the statistical data.

Scenario 2: Running a report to monitor file screening activity

File Server Resource Manager allows you to record file screening activity in an auditing database. The File Screening Audit report is used to view the information in this database.Important
Before you run a File Screening Audit report, in the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box, on the File Screen Audit tab, verify that the Record file screening activity in auditing database check box is selected. For more information, see Generating Storage Reports earlier in this guide.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, perform any of the scenarios for testing file screening (see File Screening Management Scenarios earlier in this guide). Make sure that you generate some file screening activity by attempting to save blocked files.
Under Storage Reports Management, click Generate Reports Now in the Actions pane and then choose the following parameters:
Scope: the volume in your server where file screens have been applied (for example: D:\)
Report data: File Screening Audit (clear all other reports)
Edit Parameters:
Minimum days since file screening event occurred: 0 (zero)
Report formats: HTML
When asked how you want to proceed, select the Wait for reports to be generated and then display them option, and then click OK.

Verification

Wait a few minutes for the report to be generated. When completed, it will open automatically in Internet Explorer.
View the report information and verify that the screening activity that you generated is listed.

Clustering Scenarios


The quota, file screening, and reporting capabilities in File Server Resource Manager are also available for clustered environments.
There are two scenarios for testing File Server Resource Manager in a file server failover cluster:
Scenario 1: Global configuration
Scenario 2: Volume failoverNote
You only need to perform these scenarios if you will be deploying File Server Resource Manager in a failover cluster.

Preliminary Configuration Guidelines

You will need to configure a two-node file server failover cluster with shared storage. For computer, software, storage, and network requirements and configuration steps, see the Step-by-Step Guide for Configuring a Two-Node File Server Failover Cluster in Windows Server 2008 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=110914).
Configure one of the two nodes in the cluster to own a storage volume on the shared storage. The other node will be used for failover testing.
Enable the File Server role and install File Server Resource Manager on both computers in the cluster.
Quotas and file screens on the volume exposed to the cluster must be configured by connecting to the node that currently owns that volume. Note
Quota templates, file screen templates, and file groups can be configured by connecting to either node in the failover cluster but not by using the cluster's network name.

Scenario 1: Global configuration

Test setup:

Connect to either node in the cluster.
Create or make changes to a quota template, a file screen template, or a file group.

Verification:

Connect to the other node in the cluster and verify that the changes you made have propagated to this node.

Scenario 2: Volume failover

Test setup:

Connect to the node in the cluster that owns the volume in the cluster storage.
Create quotas and file screens on that volume.
Next, fail over that volume to the other cluster node. To perform a basic test of failover, in Failover Cluster Management, right-click the clustered file server instance, click Move this service or application to another node, and click the name of the other cluster node. When prompted for confirmation, click Yes.

Verification:

Connect to the node that now owns the volume and verify that the quotas and file screens that you created continue to be enforced.

Template Export and Import Scenarios


File Server Resource Manager provides command-line tools (dirquota.exe, filescrn.exe, and storrept.exe) that you can use to deploy configuration settings and manage storage resources on multiple computers. Dirquota.exe and filescrn.exe are particularly useful for copying quota and file screen template settings from one computer to another. For example, by deploying the same templates to file servers in all of your branch offices, you can easily manage storage resources throughout your organization that adhere to common quota and file screening policies.
Because templates are exported to a file, you can also export quota and file screen templates as a way to make backup copies of templates that you have created.
We recommend using the following two scenarios to familiarize yourself with quota template export and import using dirquota.exe. (You can use comparable functionality in filescrn.exe to export and import customized file screen templates and file groups.)
Scenario 1: Quota template export
Scenario 2: Quota template import

Preliminary Configuration Guidelines

You need two computers running Windows Server 2008, and both have to be connected to the same local area network (LAN). You will use one as your local computer to export template settings, and the other one as your remote computer where you will import settings.
Change the computer name of the remote computer to “REMOTE”. By doing this, you will be able to use the exact commands listed in these scenarios.
Install File Server Resource Manager on both computers.
Enable the Remote File Server Resource Manager Management exception on the remote computer. This exception can be enabled by using Windows Firewall in Control Panel.
You need a domain account that is a member of the Administrators group on both computers.

Scenario 1: Quota template export

The following scenario uses dirquota.exe with the template export option to export the settings for a custom quota template to an XML file on the local computer.

Test setup:

If you have not already done so, on your local computer, perform the first scenario for testing quota templates (see "Scenario 1: Creating a new template from an existing template" in Quota Management Scenarios earlier in this guide). In that scenario, you name the new quota template 50 MB Limit.
On your local computer, open a command prompt using the Run as administrator option.
Run the following command to export the settings for the new quota template to the file C:\test.xml:
dirquota template export /file:C:\test.xml /template:"50 MB Limit"Note
If you do not use the /template: option to name a quota template to export, settings for all quota templates in File Server Resource Manager are exported.

Verification:

The command will report that the template exported successfully.
Verify that the file test.xml was created in C:\. You can open test.xml in Windows Internet Explorer to view the file content.

Scenario 2: Quota template import

Once you have exported template settings to an XML file, you can use dirquota.exe with the template import option to deploy those settings to the remote computer.

Test setup:

Log on to the local computer with a domain account that has administrative credentials on the local and remote computers.
If you have not already done so, perform the first scenario for testing template export and import (see Scenario 1: Quota template export earlier in this guide).
A quota template named 50 MB Limit must not already exist on the remote computer.
On your local computer, open a command prompt using the Run as administrator option.
Run the following command to import the settings on the remote computer:
dirquota template import /file:C:\test.xml /remote:REMOTE

Verification:

The command will report that the template imported successfully.
On the local computer, run the following command to list all the quota templates installed on the remote computer:
dirquota template list /remote:REMOTE
Verify that the 50 MB Limit template appears in the command output.
On the remote computer, open File Server Resource Manager and verify, under Quota Templates, that the 50 MB Limit quota template is listed.

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