Maintaining File Services

Shadow Copies of Shared Folders Automatically retains copies of files on a server from

specific points in timePrevents administrators from having to load backup

media to restore individual files for users.Allows users to perform self-service restore of files

that were accidentally deleted or modifiedEnabled at a volume level – all shares on a driveClients must have XP SP2 or later OS’sSnapshots created twice per day – 7:00am &

12:00pmUses 10% of your storage space- 300MB min and

3GB max

Configuring Disk QuotasDisk quota – simply a limit you place on the

amount disk space a user has on a system.Two types of quotas:

Hard quota – prohibits beyond the allotted amountSoft quota – slap on the wrist, sends an email

notification that they above the limit, but will still let them go higher.

Creating a Disk QuotaRight click on volume and select quota tab – goodCreate a Disk Quota Template – better

Done by adding the File Server Resource Manager Role

Generating Storage ReportsNew feature of Server 2008Reports that you can create are:

Duplicate files – files that are the same size and have same last modified date

File Screening Audit – files that violate a screeningFiles by Owner – files sorted by selected usersLarge Files – files that are larger than a specified sizeLeast Recently Accessed Files – files that have not been

accessed in a long timeMost Recently Accessed Files – files that have been

recently accessedQuota Usage – list of quotas that have been exceeded.

Backing Up Windows Server 2008Extremely Important task of an administratorTypically companies use a 3rd party backup software,

but Server 08 does come with a simple backup app.The backup app is a feature that must be installedServer 08 backup is a very limited backup option

Full backups only No network backups

With server 2008 backup you can backup Once or create a schedule so that backups run automatically a specific times.

Consider implementing a better backup solution with storage and software to better backup your system

Backup Types - NormalBacks up all filesClears the archive bitCan require large data storage capacity

Only need 1 tape when restoringThe last good normal backup

Use Normal when backup time is not critical but Restore time is extremely important.

Backup Types - IncrementalBacks up only files that have been modified or

created since the last full or incremental backupClears the archive bitCan require considerably less storage space

than a normal backup

When restoring you need the last Normal and all incremental tapes up to the day it failed.

Use when backup window is short and when restore time is not that critical.

Backup Types - DifferentialBacks up only files that have been modified or

created since the last full or incremental backup

Clears the archive bitCan require considerably less storage space

than a normal backup

When restoring you need the last Normal and the last differential. 2 tapes only

Use as a compromise between Normal and Incremental backups.

Lesson 11Lesson 11

You Learned

Shadow Copies of Shared Folders is based on the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and allows users to access previous versions of files in the event that they are accidentally deleted or overwritten.

Shadow Copies of Shared Folders is enabled at a volume level and affects all shared folders on a particular volume.

Lesson 11Lesson 11

You Learned (cont.)

The Restore Previous Versions functionality allows users to access and restore their own Shared Copies of Shared Folders snapshots without requiring administrative intervention.

A disk quota is a limit on the disk space a user is permitted to consume in a particular volume or folder.

Lesson 11Lesson 11

You Learned (cont.)

Disk Quotas are based on file ownership. The quota system tracks all of the files owned by each user and adds their sizes.

When the total size of a given user’s files reaches the quota specified by the server administrator, the system takes action.

Windows Server 2008 introduces the Windows Server Backup feature, which uses VSS to back up servers at the volume level.