--- title: "Getting Started with Windows Server Storage" description: "Learn everything you need to know about Windows Server Storage in this in-depth tutorial by ATA Learning and manage your storage like a pro!" canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/windows-server-storage/" --- # Getting Started with Windows Server Storage > Learn everything you need to know about Windows Server Storage in this in-depth tutorial by ATA Learning and manage your storage like a pro! Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/windows-server-storage/ --- ATA Learning Tap to hide [ ATA Learning ](/) * [Home](/) * [Tutorials](/tutorials/) * [Instructors](/author/) * [Advertising](/advertising/) * [Recommended Resources](/resources/) * [About Adam](/about-adam/) Search for: * [](https://twitter.com/adbertram) * [](https://github.com/Adam-the-Automator) * [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-the-automator-llc) * [](/feed/) ![Getting Started with Windows Server Storage](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/windows-server-storage.jpg) # Getting Started with Windows Server Storage [![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3a1e3d8e78fe4c161eeafd24aa121c895e8eea1c2fdc31ef9472e0c27226350f?s=192&d=mm&r=g)Leo Castillote](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/leo-castillote/)5 December 20229 min. read Categories: [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/) Tags:[File Management](/tag/file-management/)[windows server](/tag/windows-server/) Table of Contents * [Prerequisites](#prerequisites) * [Creating Basic File Shares with Windows Servers Storage](#creating-basic-file-shares-with-windows-servers-storage) * [Enabling the DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication Roles](#enabling-the-dfs-namespaces-and-dfs-replication-roles) * [Setting Up DFS Namespaces](#setting-up-dfs-namespaces) * [Setting Up DFS Replication](#setting-up-dfs-replication) * [Testing the Replication Group](#testing-the-replication-group) * [Conclusion](#conclusion) Availability and access to data from various locations are vital for an organization’s smooth operation. And if you’re looking for ways to organize your shared folders and files or to keep copies of data from one server to another, Windows Servers Storage has a lot in store for you. In this tutorial, you will learn how you can take advantage of the Windows Server Storage functionality. Read on and start securely sharing data with your team! ## Prerequisites This tutorial will be a hands-on demonstration. To follow along, be sure you have the following: * A working [AD](https://adamtheautomator.com/domain-controller-vs-active-directory/) DS, a domain controller, and two file servers. Related:[Domain Controller vs Active Directory : Interesting Comparison](https://adamtheautomator.com/domain-controller-vs-active-directory/) * A domain administrator account. ## Creating Basic File Shares with Windows Servers Storage A network (shared) folder is beneficial for users to save and share their files. But how? Creating shared folders for everyone or specific groups of people across the domain is a task the Windows Server Storage functionality can handle. To see how shared folders work, you will create one via the Files and Storage Services inside the Server Manager. 1\. Open the Server Manager, and click **Files and Storage Services** in the left panel or under the **ROLES AND SERVER GROUPS** to launch the Files and Storage Services manager. ![Windows Server Storage : Opening the File and Storage Services](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-579.png) Windows Server Storage : Opening the File and Storage Services 2\. Next, click **Shares** (left panel) → **TASKS** dropdown field → **New Share** to initiate creating a new share. ![Creating a new share](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-580.png) Creating a new share 3\. In the **New Share** **Wizard**, select **SMB Share – Quick** as the **File share profile** to create a general and basic file share, and click **Next**. ![Choosing a file share profile (SMB Share - Quick)](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-581.png) Choosing a file share profile (SMB Share – Quick) 4\. Now, select the **Type a custom path** option, set the share location (_**C:\\Shared**_), and click **Next**. ![Choosing a custom share path](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-582.png) Choosing a custom share path 5\. Keep the default settings below, and click **Next**. * **Share name** – The default share name is the folder name.**Local path to share** – The path of the shared folder.**Remote path to share** – The network path of your shared folder in this format: _**\\\\ServerName\\ShareName**_ ![Keeping the default share name settings](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-583.png) Keeping the default share name settings 6\. Click **OK** when prompted to create the share path (_**C:\\Shared**_). ![Confirming creating the share path](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-584.png) Confirming creating the share path 7\. Next, keep the **Allow caching of share** ticked, and click **Next**. This option lets users take advantage of the share’s content while offline. The other options are disabled by default, but they function as follows when enabled:
Share SettingFunction
Access-based enumerationHides files and folders from users that do not have at least read permissions to access them.
Encrypt data accessKeeps data secured against unauthorized access during the transfer from and to the share.
![Allowing caching of share](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-585.png) Allowing caching of share 8\. Click **Next** since you already have the necessary user permissions for this tutorial. ![Keeping default permissions](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-586.png) Keeping default permissions 9\. Confirm your settings selections, and click **Create** to create the share. ![Creating the file share](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-587.png) Creating the file share 10\. Click **Close** once the wizard successfully creates the share and sets permissions. ![Closing the wizard](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-588.png) Closing the wizard 11\. Lastly, repeat steps one to nine to create another share on the second server. > 💡 _[Discover the File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) for Windows](https://adamtheautomator.com/file-server-resource-manager/) to manage how users share files and folders._ ## Enabling the DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication Roles Regardless of which server you are working on, you typically want your files to be available in a heartbeat. The DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication roles provide structure and high availability to file sharing. Related:[Diving Deep into DFS Replication: A Practical How-To](https://adamtheautomator.com/dfs-replication/) To take advantage of these roles, you must install them first: 1\. Open the **Server Manager** on your file server. 2\. Under **QUICK START**, click **Add roles and features**, which opens a configuration wizard. Alternatively, click the **Manage** menu (upper-right), and choose **Add roles and features**. ![Adding roles and features](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-589.png) Adding roles and features 3\. Tick the box below to skip this page by default in the future, and click **Next to continue.** ![Skipping the first page by default](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-590.png) Skipping the first page by default 4\. Now, select the **Role-based or feature-based installation** option since you are only configuring a single server, and click **Next**. ![Choosing an installation type](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-591.png) Choosing an installation type 5\. Choose a destination server with the following: * Select the **Select a server from the server pool** option to list all available servers.Choose your server from the list that populates under **Server Pool**.Click **Next** to set the selected server as the destination server. ![Selecting the destination server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-592.png) Selecting the destination server 6\. Add the DFS Namespace and DFS Replication roles as follows: * Expand **File and Storage Services** → **File and iSCSI Services.**Tick the **DFS Namespaces** box, and a pop-up window appears.In the pop-up window, click **Add Features** to confirm adding the features.Tick the **DFS Replication** box, and click **Next**. > 💡 _Install DFS Replication only if you intend to replicate files on your servers._ ![Choosing roles and features to install](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-593.png) Choosing roles and features to install 7\. Keep the default features, and click **Next**. ![Keeping the default features](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-594.png) Keeping the default features 8\. Review the installation summary, and click **Install** to install the selected roles and features. ![Installing the selected roles and features](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-595.png) Installing the selected roles and features 9\. Once installed, click **Close** to finish the installation and close the wizard. ![Closing the installation wizard](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-596.png) Closing the installation wizard 10\. Finally, follow steps two to nine to install DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication roles on the second file server. ## Setting Up DFS Namespaces You have successfully installed DFS Namespaces, but this role is not doing anything unless you create a namespace. DFS Namespaces allows you to group shared folders from different servers into one or more logically organized namespaces. For example, you can group shared folders for similar purposes, like training materials for any department from separate locations. To set up DFS Namespaces: 1\. Click the **Tools** menu (upper-right) in the Server Manager, and choose **DFS Management**. ![Accessing the DFS Management](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-597.png) Accessing the DFS Management 2\. Next, right-click **Namespaces** (left panel), and select **New Namespace**, which opens a wizard where you can configure a new namespace (step three). ![Creating a new namespace](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-598.png) Creating a new namespace 3\. Click **Browse**, which opens a small window where you can select the server you need to host the namespace. ![Browsing for the host server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-599.png) Browsing for the host server 4\. Type the server’s name, click **Check Names** to verify you chose an existing server, and click **OK** to confirm the selection. ![Selecting an existing server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-600.png) Selecting an existing server 5\. Now, after selecting the server, click **Next** to continue. ![Confirming the selected server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-601.png) Confirming the selected server 6\. Set a **Name** for the namespace (i.e., Shared), and click **Next**. ![Naming the namespace ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-602.png) Naming the namespace If you get a warning, as shown below, click **Yes** to keep the existing shared folder and its security settings. ![Confirming keeping the existing shared folder](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-603.png) Confirming keeping the existing shared folder 7\. Next, configure the namespace type with the below information: * Select the **Domain-based namespace** option for higher namespace server availability.Tick the **Enable Windows Server 2008 mode** box for compatibility with server versions as old as Windows Server 2008.Click Next to continue. ![Choosing the namespace type to domain-based](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-604.png) Choosing the namespace type to domain-based 8\. Complete setting up the DFS Namespace as follows: * Review the details of your namespace settings. * Take note of the namespace name, as you will need to access it later. > _Notice that the root shared folder says Do not create a shared folder because you chose to keep an existing file share for your namespace._ * Click **Create** to complete creating the namespace setup. ![Completing namespace creation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-605.png) Completing namespace creation 9\. After creating the namespace, click **Close** to close the wizard. ![Closing the New Namespace Wizard](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-606.png) Closing the New Namespace Wizard 10\. Now, open File Explorer and navigate to your shared folder via the namespace name you noted in step nine (**_**\\\\techlab.ga\\Shared**_)**. If successful, you will see an output similar to the one below. ![Navigating to the namespace](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-607.png) Navigating to the namespace ## Setting Up DFS Replication DFS Replication is mainly for high data availability. DFS Replication allows you to replicate data for backup or content-sharing purposes. In this example, you will create a multipurpose replication group. 1\. Right click **Replication** (left panel) in the DFS Management tool, and choose **New Replication Group**. A wizard appears, where you will configure a new replication group. ![Creating a new replication group](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-608.png) Creating a new replication group 2\. Next, pick one from the two replication group type:
Replication Group TypeDescription
Multipurpose replication groupConfigures replication between two or more servers for any scenario that needs file sharing.
Replication group for data collectionThis replication group type is for data replication between two servers for backup purposes.
But for this example, choose the **Multipurpose replication group** option, and click **Next**. ![electing a replication group type](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-609.png) electing a replication group type 3\. Input a replication group name, like _**Shared Group**_, and click **Next** since the wizard automatically fills in the **Domain**. > 💡 _If the **Domain** field is empty, click **Browse** and manually select your domain._ ![Choosing a name and domain for the replication group](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-610.png) Choosing a name and domain for the replication group 4\. Now, click **Add**, and a pop-up window appears, where you will select the servers to add as group members. ![Adding members to the replication group](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-611.png) Adding members to the replication group 5\. Input the name of two or more servers (separated by a semi-colon), and click **Check Names** to verify the servers’ existence in the domain. Once verified, click **OK** to add these servers as members of your replication group. > 💡 _Although you are creating the replication group on one of your servers, you must still add that server as a member of the said group._ ![Verifying servers to add as replication group members](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-612.png) Verifying servers to add as replication group members 6\. After adding the members, click **Next** to continue. ![rep group member](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-613.png) rep group member 7\. Pick one from the three **Topology** options, which are as follows:
TopologyDescription
Hub and spokeThis option is disabled by default if you are working with less than three servers. Data originates from hub members and replicates to the spoke members. But spoke members do not replicate data from one another.
Full meshThis option is disabled by default if you are working with less than three servers. Data originates from hub members and replicates to the spoke members. But spoke members do not replicate data from one another.
No topologyThis option lets you create a custom topology after creating a replication group. Replication will only take place after you create a custom topology.
But for this example, select the **Full mesh** topology, and click **Next**. ![Selecting topology](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-614.png) Selecting topology 8\. Select the **Replicate continuously using the specified bandwidth** option, leave the **Bandwidth** at **Full**, and click **Next**. ![Replicating continuously with full bandwidth](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-615.png) Replicating continuously with full bandwidth 9\. Now, choose your **Primary member** in the field below and click **Next**. The primary member is the server where you are setting up the replication group for simplicity. > 💡 _The folder and files on the primary member have higher precedence if the folders to replicate already exist on multiple servers during initial replication._ ![Nominating the primary member](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-616.png) Nominating the primary member 10\. Click **Add**, which opens a small window where you will select a folder on the primary member for other members to replicate. ![Adding folders to replicate](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-617.png) Adding folders to replicate 11\. Set the shared folder path to replicate as follows: * Type or browse the shared folder path (_**C:\\Shared**_) on the primary member.Select the **Use name based on path** option for simplicity.Click **OK** to confirm the specified folder path, and close the pop-up window. ![Selecting which folder to replicate](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-618.png) Selecting which folder to replicate 12\. After adding the shared folder, click **Next** to continue. ![Confirming the added folder to replicate](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-619.png) Confirming the added folder to replicate 13\. Select the name of the appropriate member, and click **Edit** to edit the member’s general properties. ![Editing a member’s properties](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-620.png) Editing a member’s properties 14\. Configure the selected member’s general properties with the following: * Select the **Enabled** option to keep the shared folder synchronized with other members.Input or browse the path of the shared folder (_**C:\\Shared**_).Click **OK** to confirm the changes, and close the **Edit** window ![Editing path of the replicated folder](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-621.png) Editing path of the replicated folder 15\. Click **Next** once the membership status is changed to **Enabled**, as shown below. ![membership enabled](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-622.png) membership enabled 16\. Review your selected settings, and click **Create** to finalize and create the replication group. ![Creating a replication group](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-623.png) Creating a replication group 17\. Ultimately, click **Close** to close the new replication group wizard, and click **OK** when the **Replication Delay** message appears, as shown below. ![Closing the New Replication Group wizard](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-624.png) Closing the New Replication Group wizard ## Testing the Replication Group You have just achieved a milestone after successfully configuring your replication group. But how do you know the replication group works? You will create a folder on the first server and a file on the second server to test if each server replicates the other. 1\. Access the DFS namespace on your first file server in File Explorer, and create a new folder called _**Data**_. ![Creating a new folder in the namespace](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-625.png) Creating a new folder in the namespace 2\. Next, switch to your second file server, and navigate to the local _**Shared**_ folder. If the replication is successful, you will see the _Data_ folder inside the _Shared_ folder, as shown below. ![Checking replication to the second file server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-626.png) Checking replication to the second file server 3\. While still on the second file server, open the _**Data**_ folder, and create a new text document called _**text**_. Doing so lets you test the replication from the second file server to the first file server. ![Testing replication from the second server to the first server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-627.png) Testing replication from the second server to the first server 4\. Finally, switch to your first file server, and open the _**Data**_ folder inside the _**Shared**_ folder. You will see the _**text**_ file if the replication works, like in the screenshot below. ![Verifying the text file has been replicated](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-628.png) Verifying the text file has been replicated ## Conclusion Learning new tools and functionalities can be daunting at first. But in this tutorial, you have learned how to take advantage of Windows Servers Storage to create basic file shares. You can now confidently use Files and Storage Services, configure a DFS namespace, and a DFS replication group. But besides having shared folders, why not learn more about [Data Deduplication (Dedup)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/data-deduplication/overview) to reduce the cost of duplicated data? 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