📋 Free Download: 2026 HIPAA Compliance Checklist — updated for the latest OCR enforcement priorities. Get it free →

Administrator Guide 8 min read

File Server Enablement

File Server Enablement extends your existing on-premises Windows file server to the AXIS CloudSync cloud. Your team gets seamless access to server files from any device, anywhere — while the server remains your authoritative data source.

How It Works

The AXIS CloudSync File Server Agent is installed on your Windows file server. It continuously syncs selected folders from the server to the AXIS CloudSync cloud. Users can then access those files from the web portal, desktop client, or mobile app — just as they would access any other AXIS CloudSync folder.

  • The file server remains the primary copy — the cloud is a synchronized mirror.
  • Changes made on the server sync to the cloud within seconds.
  • Changes made by users via AXIS CloudSync sync back to the server automatically.
  • Existing NTFS permissions are respected and mapped to AXIS CloudSync Team Share permissions.
  • No changes to your existing network infrastructure are required.

Note

File Server Enablement is ideal for organizations that want to extend their existing file server to remote workers or mobile users without migrating away from their on-premises infrastructure.

Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows Server 2012 R2 or later (64-bit).
  • RAM: Minimum 4 GB; 8 GB recommended for servers with large file counts.
  • Disk Space: The server agent uses minimal local storage — files are synced to the cloud, not duplicated locally.
  • Internet Connection: Stable broadband connection. Upload speed determines initial sync time.
  • AXIS CloudSync Plan: File Server Enablement requires a Business or Enterprise plan.
  • Administrator Access: Local administrator rights on the file server to install the agent.

Installing the Server Agent

  1. 1Log in to the AXIS CloudSync web portal with your administrator credentials.
  2. 2Navigate to Admin → File Server → Download Agent.
  3. 3Download the AXIS CloudSync Server Agent installer.
  4. 4Copy the installer to your file server and run it with administrator privileges.
  5. 5Follow the Setup Wizard. When prompted, enter your AXIS CloudSync administrator email and password.
  6. 6The agent will register with your AXIS CloudSync account and appear in the Admin panel under File Server → Connected Servers.

Tip

Run the installer during off-hours to avoid disrupting users. The initial sync of a large file server can take several hours depending on the amount of data and your upload speed.

Configuring Sync Paths

  1. 1After the agent is installed, navigate to Admin → File Server → [Your Server Name].
  2. 2Click Add Sync Path.
  3. 3Enter the local path on the server you want to sync (e.g., D:\Shared\ClientFiles).
  4. 4Choose the AXIS CloudSync Team Share that this path should sync to. Create a new Team Share if needed.
  5. 5Configure the sync direction: Bidirectional (recommended), Server to Cloud Only, or Cloud to Server Only.
  6. 6Click Save. The initial sync will begin immediately.

Important

Do not select the root of a drive (e.g., C:\\) as a sync path. Only select specific shared folders. Syncing system directories can cause unexpected behavior.

Permissions & Access Control

AXIS CloudSync maps your existing NTFS folder permissions to Team Share permissions automatically when you configure a sync path. Users who have read access to a folder on the server will have read access in AXIS CloudSync; users with write access will have write access.

  • Permission mapping is performed during the initial sync and updated whenever NTFS permissions change.
  • You can override the automatic mapping and set custom permissions in the Team Share settings.
  • Users must have an AXIS CloudSync account to access synced files — NTFS permissions alone are not sufficient.
  • If Active Directory integration is enabled, users can be automatically provisioned based on their AD group membership.

Monitoring & Maintenance

  • Monitor the agent's sync status from Admin → File Server → [Your Server Name].
  • The dashboard shows the last sync time, number of files synced, and any errors.
  • Set up email alerts for sync failures in Settings → Notifications.
  • The agent updates automatically — no manual updates required.
  • If the server is offline (e.g., for maintenance), the agent will resume syncing automatically when the server comes back online.
  • Review the agent's local log file at C:\ProgramData\AXIS CloudSync\Logs\ for detailed troubleshooting information.
Back to All Tutorials
Schedule a Demo