File and print servers: Windows Server 2003 administrative tasks
File and print servers are often the first servers to be put in place in a networked system. In the book "Windows Server 2003 Pocket Administrator," chapter two -- Administering File and Print Servers -- outlines ongoing administrative tasks that will keep the services you deliver to your users working smoothly.
Administering File and Print Servers
The administration of file and print servers is divided into three categories. These include File Services, Print Services and Cluster Services. Table 2-1outlines the administrative activities that you must perform on an ongoing basis to ensure proper operation of the services you deliver to your user community. It also identifies the frequency of each task.
You may not need to perform all of these activities because you don't use some of the services mentioned here. You may also use a different schedule. Remember to personalize the task list to adapt it to your environment.
Table 2-1. File and Print Service Administration Task List
| Procedure Number | Activity | Frequency |
| File Services | ||
| FS-01 | Available Free Space Verification | Daily |
| FS-02 | Data Backup Management | Daily |
| FS-03 | Shared Folder Management | Daily |
| FS-04 | File Replication Service Event Log Verification | Daily |
| FS-05 | Volume Shadow Copy Management | Weekly |
| FS-06 | Distributed File System Management | Weekly |
| FS-07 | Quota Management | Weekly |
| FS-08 | Indexing Service Management | Weekly |
| FS-09 | Data Disk Integrity Verification | Weekly |
| FS-10 | Data Disk Defragmentation | Weekly |
| FS-11 | File Access Audit Log Verification | Weekly |
| FS-12 | Temporary File Cleanup | Weekly |
| FS-13 | Security Parameter Verification | Weekly |
| FS-13 | Security Parameter Verification | Weekly |
| FS-14 | Security Parameter Verification | Weekly |
| FS-14 | Encrypted Folder Management | Weekly |
| FS-15 | Data Archiving | Monthly |
| FS-16 | File Replication Service Management | Monthly |
| Print Services | ||
| PS-01 | Print Queue Management | Daily |
| PS-02 | Printer Access Management | Weekly |
| PS-03 | Printer Driver Management | Weekly |
| PS-04 | Printer Driver Management | Ad hoc |
| PS-05 | Print Spooler Drive Management | Ad hoc |
| PS-06 | Printer Location Tracking Management | Ad hoc |
| PS-08 | New Printer Model Evaluation | Ad hoc |
| Cluster Services | ||
| CS-01 | Clusters: Cluster State Verification | Daily |
| CS-02 | Clusters: Print Queue StatusVerification | Daily |
| CS-03 | Clusters: Server Cluster Management | Weekly |
| CS-04 | Clusters: Quorum State Verification | Weekly |
File Service Administration
With Windows Server 2003, file service administration involves everything from formatting a new disk to integrating with the Active Directory to creating complex shared folder structures with the Distributed File Service.But, it is mainly focused on disks and the services Windows Server 2003 can support when dealing with storage.
Four main tools can be used to manage file servers:
- Windows Explorer because it gives access to both disks and shared folders.
- The File Server Management console because it is a single-purpose console that focuses on disks and shares.
- The net share command because it is a commandline tool that can be used to script sharing operations.
- The diskpart command because it is designed to manage disks, volumes, and partitions.
