3.20. FSx for Windows Servers

What is Amazon FSx for Windows File Server?

A fully managed native Windows file system providing SMB file shares integrated with Active Directory.

What AWS service is FSx for Windows File Server often compared to?

Amazon EFS, which is used for Linux environments.

What protocol does FSx for Windows File Server use for file access?

SMB (Server Message Block).

Which identity systems can FSx for Windows integrate with?

AWS Managed AD or self-managed on-premises Active Directory.

What Windows feature allows users to restore previous file versions?

VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service).

What distinguishes FSx from running a Windows file server on EC2?

FSx is fully managed, eliminating server administration overhead.

Does FSx support integration with Direct Connect and VPN?

Yes, FSx can be accessed via VPC, VPN, and Direct Connect.

What AWS virtual desktop service benefits from FSx for shared storage?

Amazon Workspaces.

When should FSx be used over EFS?

When working with Windows environments requiring SMB and AD integration.

What performance range can FSx deliver?

From 8 MB/s to 2 GB/s and hundreds of thousands of IOPS with <1ms latency.

What Windows-native features does FSx support?

VSS, DFS, de-duplication, native permissions, and SMB.

Can FSx perform automated backups?

Yes, FSx supports both automatic and on-demand backups.

What file system format does FSx for Windows File Server provide?

NTFS, compatible with Windows.

What is DFS in the context of FSx?

Distributed File System for scaling out and managing file shares.

How are FSx shares accessed in a Windows environment?

Using UNC paths like \hostname\sharename.

What feature allows FSx to provide secure file access?

At-rest encryption with KMS and enforced in-transit encryption.

What keywords in exam questions hint at FSx usage?

"SMB", "VSS", "DFS", "Windows permissions", "Active Directory", "native Windows file system".

Is FSx suitable for Linux environments?

No, use Amazon EFS for Linux environments.

Does FSx support multi-AZ deployments?

Yes, for high availability.

What directory service setup is required for FSx?

Can be AWS Directory Service or a customer-managed AD.

What is FSx for Windows File Server?

What does FSx for Windows File Server’s architecture look like?

What are the key features and benefits of FSx for Windows File Servers?