File System Scanning

The following components are associated with file system scanning.

Scan Processor

This component processes file system scan files and updates file system scan information in the database.

Agents

File system scan agents run on Open Enterprise Server hosts. It examines and reports on hosted network file systems including NSS and NCP volumes, and collects and scans data related to file system metadata and permissions — See Agent Scan Capabilities for more information.

IMPORTANT: Install an Agent on every server with a share you want to report on for optimal results. For clustered storage, agents may scan cluster resource volumes via proxy.

Scans

File Reporter OES uses agents to scan storage resources such as NSS and NCP volumes on Open Enterprise Servers.

File system scans index data specific to a storage resource and generates storage reports, enabling authorized users to review the data with the analytics tools.

File system scans include comprehensive information on:

  • The file types stored by users.

  • When the files were created.

  • When the files were last modified.

  • The permission data on the folders in which the files reside.

  • And much more.

File Reporter OES collects file system scans from the Agents and sends them through the Engine to the Scan Processor, which stores them in the database.

You can conduct scans at any time, but scheduling a time after normal business hours will minimize the effect on network performance.

NOTE: See Scan Scheduling for the procedures to perform a scan.