AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Configure file systems

Implement and Manage NTFS and ReFS Features

Configuring file systems in a Windows Server hybrid core environment is essential for efficient storage management and data protection. The two main file systems, NTFS and ReFS, each offer unique capabilities that support server workloads both on-premises and in Azure. Understanding these options helps administrators choose the right solution for their needs. Both systems can handle large volumes and robust security, but ReFS adds built-in resilience for high-availability scenarios.

Before using any new volume, it must be formatted and mounted so the operating system can access it. When you format a volume, you choose NTFS, known for file permissions and encryption, or ReFS, designed for data integrity and auto-correction. Mounting assigns a drive letter or folder path, making storage easier to reach for users and applications. These steps are pivotal for creating a stable and reliable storage foundation.

One of the standout capabilities of these file systems is support for integrity streams, which allows ReFS to detect and repair data corruption automatically. For NTFS, enabling data deduplication removes redundant copies of data, saving valuable disk space. Together, these features maintain optimal storage performance and reduce operational costs. Regularly monitoring integrity and deduplication health ensures that your volumes stay reliable over time.

To keep storage organized and fair, administrators can enforce disk quotas and configure Access-Based Enumeration (ABE). These policies help manage resource allocation and maintain a tidy file structure. Key policy options include:

• Disk quotas: Limit user storage consumption to prevent any single user from exhausting space.
• Access-Based Enumeration (ABE): Show only the files and folders that each user has permission to view.
  Implementing these rules ensures that users have a seamless experience while protecting important data.

Protecting data at rest is critical in hybrid environments, and both NTFS and ReFS support file system encryption. Integrating BitLocker adds a layer of full-volume encryption, meeting strict compliance requirements and guarding against unauthorized access. This approach locks down data on physical drives, whether on-site or in the cloud. Combining encryption with the other file system features delivers a comprehensive strategy for secure and resilient storage.

Conclusion

Configuring file systems properly ensures that hybrid environments remain efficient and secure. By choosing between NTFS and ReFS based on features like encryption, integrity, and quotas, administrators meet organizational performance and reliability goals. Enabling integrity streams and data deduplication optimizes storage and protects against corruption. Enforcing disk quotas, Access-Based Enumeration, and integrating BitLocker encryption keeps data safe and access controlled. These combined steps form the foundation of resilient and manageable file storage in Windows Server hybrid infrastructures.