# Nutanix Files

![](/files/jrzF6tTy9TWoNLoUdA2P)

## General

Nutanix Files offers file system storage in the form of network shares (SMB or NFS). With Storware Backup & Recovery, you can easily back up and recover these shares.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:**

* each File Server is considered as a separate Storage Provider
* Storware Backup & Recovery tracks changes for each file system change using the Nutanix CFT mechanism
  * this shortens backup times because it does not need to perform a metadata scan across your file server, which could contain millions of files and directories.
* only regular files, symlinks, and directories are subject to backup
* for file systems, Storware Backup & Recovery currently build images for each backup before uploading data to the specific backup provider so that it doesn't have to upload objects one-by-one - these images will be merged automatically in restore tasks
  {% endhint %}

In general, the process looks as follows:

* the user adds a new storage provider (Nutanix files)
* inventory synchronization retrieves all the information about storage (of two types: SMB and NFS)
* the user can then do a full backup (storage is mounted and all files are extracted from it)
* incremental backup uses CFT from the API, and based on this list Storware Backup & Recovery only downloads changed files.

## Example

Complete the following steps to add the Nutanix Files storage provider:

Go to `Storage` -> `Infrastructure` and click on `Create` button

![](/files/JW8lOU6z6Rz34CDafRoD)

In the form, provide:

* `Nutanix Files` as the Storage Provider type
* File Server URL in the `Host` field (`https://FileServerVM-IP:9440`)
* Login and password for File Server VM
  * The `admin` account **cannot** be used
  * User has to be authorized as `REST API access user` in `File Server Console` > `Configuration` > `Manage Roles`
  * If you want to use domain account, enter it in the following format: `domain\username`
* The URL to the Prism Element Host (`https://PRISM_ELEMENT:9440`)
* User login and password to Prism Element Host
  * The `admin` account **cannot** be used
  * User has to have Cluster Admin privileges on the cluster
  * If you want to use domain account, enter it in the following format: `username@domain.local`
* Choose the node configuration responsible for operations.
  * The node has to have network communication over port 9440 to File Server VM Client Network IP and Nutanix Prism.

Click `Save` button - now you can run inventory synchronization to detect file systems (storage instances) - they will be visible in `Storage` -> `Instances` view

![](/files/NYj3lDeVSBsvpVu5rg80)

Now you can assign backup SLAs in `Storage` -> [Backup SLAs](/70/administration/storage-providers/backup-slas.md) to schedule periodic backups of these shares. You are also able to mount backups to restore individual files using [Mounted Backups (File-level Restore)](/70/administration/storage-providers/file-level-restore-mounted-backup.md).

## Limitations

* Backup/Restore of hidden shares on Nutanix Files with SMB are not supported.


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