Adding the File Services Role

Windows Server 2008 R2 systems, out of the box, can be used to share folder data right after installation. To get the most out of the system, the File Services role should be added. Adding the File Services role not only configures settings to optimize the system for file sharing, but also enables the administrator to choose which file server options as well as which tools for managing the file system will be installed. To install the File Services role, perform the following steps:

1. Log on to the Windows Server 2008 R2 system with an account with administrator privileges.
2. Click Start, click All Programs, click Administrative Tools, and select Server Manager.
3. In the tree pane, click on the Roles node.
4. In the tasks pane, click on the Add Roles link.
5. When the Add Roles window opens, read the information on the Before You Begin page and if the system meets the recommendations to have a strong administrator password, static IP address, and be updated with the latest Windows security updates, click Next to continue.
6. On the Select Server Roles page, check the File Services check box, and click Next to continue.
7. The next page provides a short introduction to the File Services role and notes the fact that the Windows Search Service and the indexing service cannot be installed on the same system. Click Next to continue with the installation of the File Services role.
8. The Role Services page enables administrators to select which File Services role services will be installed on the system. The File Server service is selected by default. In addition to this service, also check Windows Search Service to set up indexing of the file system for faster searches and also check the File Server Resource Manager to enable quota, file screening, file classification, and reporting functionality. After checking the desired services, click Next to continue.
   NOTE: When additional File Services role services are chosen, the corresponding tools to manage the services are also installed.
9. Because the File Server Resource Manager was selected, the next page is the Configure Storage Usage Monitoring page. Check the box next to each drive letter that will have storage reporting enabled and when completed, accept the default settings for monitoring, and click Next to continue.
10. On the Set Report Options page, accept the defaults of storing reports on the root folder, Storage Reports, and click Next to continue.
    NOTE: Detailed configuration of the File Server Resource Manager reports and monitor settings are outlined in the "File Server Resource Manager (FSRM)" section later in this tutorial.
11. Because the Windows Search Service was selected, the next page will be the Select Volumes to Index for Windows Search Service. Check the volumes that will contain user data that should be indexed, and click Next to continue.
12. The Confirm Installation Selections page enables the administrator to review the chosen settings. After confirming that the settings are correct, click Install to install and configure the services and tools chosen.
13. Review the details on the results page and click Close to complete the installation.