Remote Storage is a Windows Server 2003 file system service that is used to automatically archive data to removable media from a managed NTFS volume.
Remote Storage migrates files when they haven't been accessed for an extended period of time or when a managed disk drops below a certain percent of free disk space. When Remote Storage migrates a file or folder, it is replaced on the volume with a file link called a junction point.
Junction points take up little room, which reduces the amount of used disk space but leaves a way for this data to be accessed later in the original location. When a junction point is accessed, it spawns the Remote Storage service to retrieve the file that was migrated to tape.
It is easy to install the Remote Storage service; you can do so in minutes. You will need to have the Windows Server 2003 installation media for doing the installation of the Remote Storage service. To install Remote Storage:
- Log on to the desired server using an account with Local Administrator access.
- Ensure that a Windows Server 2003 remote storage-compatible tape or optical media device or library has been installed and configured on the desired server.
- Review the Windows Server 2003 Hardware Compatibility List on the Microsoft Web site to verify that the device works with the Remote Storage service.
- Click on Start button. From Control Panel, select Add or Remove Programs.
- Select Add/Remove Windows Components from the left pane of the dialog box.
- Scroll down the list, check the box next to Remote Storage, and click on the Next button to begin installation.
- If the Windows Server 2003 media are not located, you will be prompted to locate them. Perform this step when necessary.
- Click Finish on the Completing the Windows Components Wizard.
- Click Yes to restart the computer.
About the author: Rahul Shah currently works at a software firm in India, where he is a systems administrator maintaining Windows servers. He also has experience in testing, analytics and deploying client/server applications in different Windows configurations.
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