The file server on Windows Server R2 is a new old friend. How to properly install and configure a file server on Windows Server

As you know, in Windows 7, the number of network connections to the folders for which the general access... Yes, yes, this is already all known fact and Microsoft has set restrictions to promote the Windows Server line of server operating systems. Default maximum amount connections in Windows 7 is 20. In general, this number may even be enough if there are a couple of computers in the office, but if there are much more of them, then you can dry the oars ... On the part of users, the problem is floating, that is network resource it may or may not open, and sometimes a network folder can be opened via Explorer via IP, but not opened by name, and vice versa.

As a result, we had to search through many different resources on the Internet, but the "cure" was usually found only for Windows XP, and therefore does not suit us. A solution has been found, but I want to warn you right away that any similar way entails the loss of your Windows license, since any patches, as well as any changes in system files are prohibited.

Technically, the Windows 7 operating system supports any number of simultaneous connections, which can be limited only by the hardware capabilities of our computer, and this is what we must check.

Installing the File Server Role on Windows 7

So how to increase the number of network windows connections 7 to make a working file server? A considerable number of various programs and only one coped with this task - "FixLimUserWindows", a program that works, by the way, and in 32 in 64-bit windows versions 7.

Booting Windows 7 in "Safe Mode"

To do this, press the “F8” key even before the “Windows” logo appears and select “Boot in Safe Mode” from the list that appears.

Make full access to system files

We go to the C: \\ Windows \\ System32 folder, become the owner of the srvsvc.dll file and provide full access to him for current user, the same for the file C: \\ Windows \\ System32 \\ drivers \\ tcpip.sys.

Launching the patch

First of all, we need download FixLimUserWindows well, and, accordingly, run it.

The program itself will replace everything required files and all that remains is to restart the system. After that, the reboot will remove the restriction on the number of connections, which can be seen in practice by asking users to go to some network folder on our Windows 7 server, or by performing a preliminary check via command line (quick opening via "CTRL + R" -\u003e "cmd" -\u003e "Ok") and enter the command:

net config server

net config server

Press the "Enter" key and make sure that we have " maximum number users without restrictions ":

If you have a similar message, then Windows is completely ready to connect any number of users and devices, the main thing is that the hardware bandwidth network card and the processor power was sufficient to withstand the planned load. Please note that in the "Shared Resources" section of the "Computer Management" snap-in, the system still shows no more than 20 connections, but in practice, client computers stop slowing down and start connecting to network folders our brand new Windows 7 Server.

During testing, it turned out that it was impossible to connect to the shared network folders of our server from computers running Windows XP. The solution to the problem is as follows:

1. On our computer with Windows 7 (server), open the registry editor (regedit)

2. Find the key HKLM \\ SYSTEM \\ CurrentControlSet \\ Control \\ Session Manager \\ Memory Management \\ LargeSystemCache and change its value to 1

3. Find the key HKLM \\ SYSTEM \\ CurrentControlSet \\ Services \\ LanmanServer \\ Parameters \\ Size and change its value to 3

4. HKLM \\ SYSTEM \\ CurrentControlSet \\ Services \\ LanmanServer \\ parameters

Create DWORD32 Value - Name: DisableStrictNameChecking, Value: 1

After making changes to the registry and restarting the computer, no problems are observed.

Installing the Terminal Server Role on Windows 7

This opportunity is also available, follow the changes on the site!

I repeat - changing files in the operating room windows system Is a violation license agreement Microsoftalthough after the patch windows activation remains fully functional. :)) In any case, all the above actions are written for informational purposes only: buy only licensed software from Microsoft and in no case break it! 😉


In my opinion, this is a very excellent topic to describe. At one time it was interesting to set up a server on your computer for more convenient file exchange. Having tried various and even the protocol, I realized that I absolutely do not like them, the first look in the browser, to put it mildly, poorly, the second, although they have their own clear advantages, but connect network drive on other people's computers do not want. But one (beautiful and sunny) day I came across a program called HTTP File Server (abbreviated as HFS), installed, configured (since I started with the cleanest version, there were some problems with this) and almost fell in love with this program. To access my files, it is now enough to have any browser, since all access is carried out through a regular web page. I also have a folder created in which a person knowledgeable password, can add the file directly through the browser. Files from the server can be downloaded either one at a time or in folders at once. The program will automatically place the folder in a .tar archive without compression and send it for download. At the same time, the site has a rather neat look, although if you wish (and sufficient knowledge) you can write a site template yourself. Do you recognize that this is a great way to transfer files easily and conveniently?

And here is an example of a page that you will see in the browser window, as you see everything is beautiful and neat, you can find many beautiful templates on the program forum:

Although her menu is completely on english language, for me this is not a hindrance. And for those who do not know English well, at the end of the article I will try to explain as fully as possible what all sections of the menu are responsible for and how to use them.

So, let's move on to installing and configuring the HTTP File Server:

1) To save you some time, I prepared an HFS assembly with a Russian-language site template and made initial setup the program itself. You can download the assembly from my Yandex.Disk by the link. If you are confident in your abilities, you can download a clean version of the program on the official website http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/

That's all. I hope this article was useful to you, click one of the buttons below to tell your friends about it. Also subscribe to site updates by entering your e-mail in the field on the right.

Thank you for attention:)

Updated: 05.12.2016 Published: 2016 or earlier

Windows Server 2012 R2 is used as an example. The instruction is divided into several steps and is a complete cycle of setting up file storage for use in small and medium-sized companies.

Step 1. Selecting equipment and preparing the server

As a server, it is advisable to choose professional equipment. System requirements not high for a file server:

  • The processor may be the simplest;
  • RAM is also not heavily used;
  • The disk system is the most basic component. Its volume depends on the specifics of the business. The approximate formula is at least 15 GB per user and at least 1 TB per server. Up to 50 users can be viewed sATA drivesfollowed by SAS or SSD.

For example, for a company of 300 users, a server with a Xeon E3 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 5 TB of disk space for sAS drives 10K.

Additional requirements

  1. To ensure the safety of information in case of failure hard disk, a RAID controller is required. The latter is configured from a special built-in softwarethat starts when the server boots;
  2. The server must be connected to the source uninterruptible power supply;
  3. It is necessary to provide for backups. This requires disk drive (external hard disk) or another server.

Step 2. Install Windows and configure the system

System installation

At this step, everything is standard, with the exception of one nuance: breaking during windows installations hDD, we try to allocate a small part (70 - 120 GB) for the system and everything else for data. Allocating a lot of disk space for the system partition will increase its maintenance time and fragmentation, which will negatively affect the performance and reliability of the system as a whole.

System Setup

  1. We check the correctness of the time and time zone settings;
  2. Set a friendly name for the server and, if necessary, enter it into the domain;
  3. If the server is not directly connected to the Internet, it is worth turning off the firewall;
  4. For remote administration, enable remote desktop;
  5. Install all system updates.

Step 3. Basic file server settings

These are the standard steps you take when setting up a regular file server.

Installing the Role and Supporting Components

Typically, this role is installed with Windows. All that remains is to check this and install the components that are needed for the full operation of the service.

We open Server manager... It can be launched from the quick launch bar.

Push Control - Add roles and components.

In the window that opens, leave Installing Roles and Features and press Further.

In the next window, select desired server (selected by default if we work on the server, and not through the remote console) and click Further.

Among the roles we find File and storage services, open it and check that the checkboxes are checked in front of the following components:

  • Storage services;
  • File server;

If these services are not installed, select them and click Further.

In the window Component selection just push Further.

A window will open Component installation confirmation... Push Install and after the end of the process, restart the server.

Setting up balls (shared folder)

We create the first folder that we want to share. Then click on it right click mouse and click Properties:

In the window that opens, go to the tab Accessand press Advanced customization:

Check the box Share this folder and press the button Permissions:

We provide full access to all users:

* of course, we will not give access to all users, but there is a security tab for this (see below).

Push OKonce again OK.

Now go to the tab Safety and press Additionally:

In the window that opens, click Disabling inheritance and Convert inherited permissions to explicit permissions on this object.

Push OK and Edit.

We set the necessary rights to the folder, for example:

Tip: try to manage resource rights only with groups. Even if only one person needs access!

Now press OK twice. The folder is configured for general use and in our example it is available via the network path \\\\ fs1 \\ Shared folder.

Step 4. File server tuning or professional advice

These settings, in fact, represent the secrets of how to make a file server better, more reliable, and more secure. By applying them, administrators create a more robust and professional IT environment.

DFS

From the outset, it's worth creating shared folders in the DFS namespace. There are two main reasons for this:

  1. If multiple file servers exist or appear, users will find it easier to find shared folders in one place.
  2. The administrator can easily create a fault-tolerant system if necessary.

Shadow copies

Let you return to previous versions files. This is very useful function will allow not only recovering an incorrectly edited document, but also returning it by accident remote file or folder.

Audit

An audit will allow you to keep a record of access to data - to understand who and when deleted important data or made changes to it.

Step 5. Configuring Service Tools

No infrastructure can fully exist without monitoring and backup. Warn about possible problem, learn about the latter before users or be able to recover data - indicators of high responsibility and professionalism of the system administrator.

Backup

For a file server, everything is simple - you need to back up all working folders and files. The best solution there will be daily copying of new data, and with a certain frequency (for example, once a month), create a complete archive.

Monitoring

It is worth monitoring:

  1. Server network availability;
  2. Free disk space;
  3. The status of hard drives.

Step 6. Testing

Testing consists of 3 main steps:

  1. Verify windows logs and make sure there are no errors. If they are found, it is necessary to eliminate all problems.
  2. Perform Best Practices Analyzer actions.
  3. Conduct a live test of the service from the user's computer.

A file server is enough powerful computerthat is connected to a network, most often such a network is a local area network (LAN), whose main function is to serve as a centralized storage of data on several computers within a client-server model computer networks... They are available in a number of different hardware and software configurations. File servers are sometimes used to create backups critical data. A typical file server will only be configured to send and receive files, and does not run any active processes for users. They can also be configured to distribute data over the Internet using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).
Any modern computer can be configured to act as a file server. Plain personal Computer splits files throughout home network and works as a file server. In large organizations, a file server is usually dedicated computers that are often equipped with arrays of very large storage devices. The most specialized form of file server widely used in modern computing is made up of computers that are designed specifically to serve only as file servers. These devices provide network-attached storage systems (NAS) using hardware that is typically configured to maximize only its storage and sharing performance and includes only the most basic methods input / output and data processing.

File servers can operate using standard and specialized operating systems. All modern operating systems allow computers to be file servers. The Linux operating system enjoys significant popularity on file servers because of its reputation for stability and economic reasons. Windows and Unix are also often used as file server operating systems. NAS devices can use versions of standard operating systems, but they can also use specialized features of operating systems.

File servers are usually found in situations where communication is beneficial. Large networks use file servers to facilitate the exchange of data between users. Networked systemsthat use centralized file servers are also secure since all files are on centralized hardware and can be easily copied.

When the demand for data is particularly high, all file servers will experience periodic performance degradation, and servers connected to the Internet are also vulnerable to attack. DOS and DDoS attacks have been used repeatedly against Internet-connected file servers. In each case, the attackers directed the data stream to the file server with so many malicious requests for data that legitimate requests were often lost or resulted in unacceptable delays.

In general understanding file server (File Server, file server) - a computer that stores files and accesses them over the network. In small networks, this role is often assigned to one of the work computers. The first advantage of a dedicated file server is that it is very convenient to manage on it backup... The originals are stored in one place, the copy program is also one.

It can work at a time when by definition no one is accessing the server - at night and on weekends. Similarly, it is easy and simple to organize a total anti-virus scan. You might argue that the bulk of data is usually documents. However, no one has yet canceled macro viruses, and they can cause very serious harm! By concentrating all of a company's data on a single computer, it’s easier to focus on instant storage reliability at no extra cost. For example, in a file server, you can install hard drives of expensive, but especially reliable series, or even organize a RAID array.

What hardware is needed? If you make an exclusively file server or, say, combine it with a mail server, the requirements for processor speed and volume random access memory will be the most humble. The main thing is a sufficient volume of the disk system and, preferably, its good performance... Even an outdated computer is perfect for such a role. Install new hard drives in it, supply them good cooling (blown by a separate fan), take a reliable power supply and connect it through the UPS.

What operating system is advisable to install on a file server?

There are three principal options:

  • any editions of Windows: from Windows XP to Windows 7. The best solution if you took a computer (new or not new) with a pre-installed OEM system as a server;
  • various Linux distributions... Any assembly will do, including the minimal one - which one you like best;
  • specialized Linux and FreeBSD distributions... The FreeNAS project is rightfully considered the de facto standard in this area. This free software based on FreeBSD is used by many manufacturers of "branded" NAS, and very serious companies to create their own corporate systems data storage. It is noteworthy that FreeNAS can be installed on one of the partitions hard disk or run without installation directly from a CD or USB flash drive or memory stick.

On Linux, to provide resources to network access serves as a Samba server. Both Windows and Linux client computers can access these resources. Most linux distributions Samba packages are already installed by default, otherwise they can be easily downloaded and installed from the repository. We will not touch on the settings - it is simple and described in detail in help system Linux, and most assemblies provide an intuitive graphical interface.

Samba on Linux and FreeBSD uses the same CIFS protocol as the Windows File and Folder Sharing Service (LanmanServer). Therefore, the file server under linux management is seen on the network in the same way as any Windows computer with shared folders. You can access these resources through Windows Explorer.

It is beneficial to keep basic working documents and accounting databases on a file server even in a small company. It is also advisable to put backups there - images of the system disks of your working computers. It is easier to ensure their safety and protection from "malware" on the server.

Of course, in shared folders the server must be in order. Which - decide according to the situation, but then try to strictly adhere to it. It might be worth setting aside one folder for the current files that everyone should access. For more private materials, you can select folders by the number of users. Access restrictions will be applied to them if necessary. Finally, “long-term storage” files like backups and distributions are best kept separate.

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