AWS Solutions Architect · Lesson

FSx: Windows File Server and Lustre

Run a fully managed Windows-native SMB file system with FSx for Windows, or use FSx for Lustre for high-performance computing workloads.

What Is Amazon FSx?

Amazon FSx is a family of fully managed file systems on AWS built on industry-standard technologies. While EFS provides a POSIX NFS file system for Linux, FSx provides purpose-built file systems for specific workloads that need native protocol support or specialised performance characteristics. The four FSx flavours are: FSx for Windows File Server (SMB), FSx for Lustre (HPC), FSx for NetApp ONTAP, and FSx for OpenZFS. The SAA-C03 exam primarily tests Windows and Lustre.

FSx for Windows File Server: Overview

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed, Windows-native SMB file system built on Windows Server. It supports all Windows-specific features: SMB protocol (versions 2.0-3.1.1), Active Directory integration, Distributed File System (DFS) namespaces, Windows ACLs, NTFS, user quotas, and shadow copies. It is the AWS-native replacement for on-premises Windows file servers and is specifically designed for Windows applications that require SMB access — including Microsoft SharePoint, SQL Server, home directories, and custom Windows .NET applications.

# Create an FSx for Windows file system joined to an AD domain
aws fsx create-file-system \
  --file-system-type WINDOWS \
  --storage-capacity 2000 \
  --storage-type SSD \
  --subnet-ids subnet-aaa111 subnet-bbb222 \
  --windows-configuration '{
    "ActiveDirectoryId": "d-1234567890",
    "ThroughputCapacity": 256,
    "DeploymentType": "MULTI_AZ_1",
    "AutomaticBackupRetentionDays": 7
  }'

All lessons in this course

← Back to AWS Solutions Architect