How to set up Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

Pre-requirements

• AWS Directory service configured
• Windows based EC2 machine installed and joined to the AWS directory service

For more information, see:

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/fsx/latest/WindowsGuide/walkthrough01-prereqs.html

• AWS EC2 installed on the same VPC, subnet and Security Group as the target Amazon FSx file system

Creating an Amazon FSx File System

• Login to the Amazon FSx console:

https://console.aws.amazon.com/fsx/

• Click on Create file system
• Select Amazon FSx for Windows File Server -> click Next
• Create file system page:

• File system details:

• File system name – specify a name for the new file system
• Storage capacity – specify the size of the new file system (minimum 300GB)

• Network & security:

• Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) – select the same VPC as the AWS Directory service previously created and the same VPC as the EC2 machine
• Availability zone – select one of the availability zones were the AWS Directory service previously created and the same availability zone as the EC2 machine
• Subnet – select one of the availability zones were the AWS Directory service previously created, and on the same subnet where the target EC2 instance is connected to

• Windows authentication:

• Microsoft Active Directory ID – select the previously created AWS Directory service

• Encryption:

• Encryption key – select either the default aws/fsx encryption key or specify the ARN for the AWS KMS fsx encryption key (for customer managed key scenarios)

• Maintenance preferences:

• Daily automatic backup window – select start time, and specify off-hours time
• Automatic backup retention period – leave the default (7 days) or specify your own value
• Weekly maintenance window – unless you have maintenance window (such as patching time), leave the default “No preference”

• Click Next -> click Create file system
• Wait for the new file system to be created
• From the Amazon FSx console, locate the newly created file system -> Click on the newly created file system -> Network & security tab -> write down the DNS name (for future use)
• Logoff the AWS console

Mounting the AWS FSx file system

• Login to the Windows based EC2 machine using RDP
• Open File Explorer
• Right click on This PC -> Map network drive
• Map Network Drive page:

• Drive: Select a drive letter
• Folder: Specify the path to the network drive in the following format:

\\DNS_Name\Share

Note: Replace DNS_Name with the DNS name value written before

• Select “Connect using different credentials”
• Click Finish
• Enter network credentials page:

• Username: Admin
• Password: The password for the admin account specified during the creation of the AWS Directory service

Note: Instructions for resetting the admin password:

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/directoryservice/latest/admin-guide/ms_ad_manage_users_groups_reset_password.html

• Select “Remember my credentials” -> click OK
• Begin using the managed file system