File Manager is a web-based interface to the NetStorage file-system. Rather than using a terminal session, command prompt or a third party transfer application, you can access File Manager via the Akamai Control Center to perform all manner of file management. This includes list, move, delete and upload operations. It also allows you to create and remove directories.

Prerequisites for File Manager use

File Manager integrates with the NetStorage application and allows you to manage file assets within the storage group(s) configured for your instance. Therefore, you must:

• Have a license for NetStorage.
• Establish the storage group(s) that will house your content.
• Have at least one upload account created for each storage group, in order to access it.

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Set up File Manager access

You need to associate a specific ​Control Center​ user account with an existing NetStorage upload account. The ​Control Center​ user account will then have access to the upload account's storage group via File Manager.

For example, you have an upload account named uploadaccount1 that is associated with the storage group storagegroup1. If you associate the​Control Center​ user account mylunaaccount with uploadaccount1, that ​Control Center​ user account would be able to use File Manager to access storagegroup1. (And, it would have all of the access privileges and restrictions associated with uploadaccount1.

Access File Manager for NetStorage

1. Launch your desired browser and access ​Control Center​ at https://control.akamai.com.
2. Login using a ​Control Center​ user account that has been provisioned for NetStorage use.
3. Select the appropriate account — one configured for NetStorage use — from the Select Account drop-down.
4. Open the application. Go to ☰ > ORIGIN SERVICES > NetStorage and click FileManager.

Enable File Manager for NetStorage

You need to enable the File Manager access method for your upload account in order to access the target storage group.

1. Access your NetStorage configuration.
2. Locate your storage group in the table and select the View Upload Account(s) option under the Actions menu.
3. Select the Upload Account that you want to modify, and click Edit.
4. Scroll to the Access Methods section and click the File Manager tab.
5. Click the Enable File Manager Access button.
6. Ensure the Upload Directory matches the value from the previous steps.
7. Create File Manager access mappings as necessary.

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Create File Manager access mappings

Set up File Manager access for applicable Control Center user account(s).

With the upload account propagated with File Manager access, perform these steps:

1. Go to ☰ > ORIGIN SERVICES > NetStorage and click FileManager.
2. From the File Manager landing page, click Setup File Manager Access.
3. The Manage File Manager Access window will launch.

Manage access by Username

1. Select Access by Username to locate the appropriate ​Control Center​ user account and click it to continue.

   You can edit the mapping assignments in the right column. This column offers a table of accessible Storage Groups that have been provisioned for access by the currently selected Control Center user account.

2. Locate the desired Storage Group and select the appropriate upload user account from the associated drop-down (i.e., the upload user account/storage group relationship).

3. Click Update Access.

Manage access by Upload Account

1. Select Access by Upload Account.

2. Locate the appropriate upload account or storage group and click it to continue.

   You can edit the mapping assignments in the right column. This column offers a table of accessible Control Center user accounts that you want to associate with the selected upload account.

3. Select the user accounts to associate with the upload account.

4. Click Update Access.

The selected storage group(s) will now be available for selection from the File Manager UI, when the current Control Center user account is logged in (i.e., they will appear in the Storage Group drop-down in the UI).

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The established level of access for the selected upload user is revealed at the end of the text displayed -- “RW” = Read/Write access, while “RO” = Read Only access.

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Edit and remove File Manager mappings

You can edit and remove File Manager access mappings.

Once you have established File Manager access, you can edit upload user account/storage group access mappings for a Control Center user account by performing the following:

1. Access your File Manager access mapping.
2. Select Access by Username to locate the appropriate ​Control Center​ user account and click it to continue.
3. In the Edit User File Manager Access Mapping window, use the drop-down menus to add/remove upload user accounts as desired.

Remove File Manager access mappings

In addition to specifying storage group/upload user account mappings for use in File Manager, the Setup File Manager Access utility can be used to remove access for an individual or multiple ​Control Center​ user accounts.

1. From the File Manager landing page, click Setup File Manager Access.
2. Select Access by Username to locate the appropriate ​Control Center​ user account and click it to continue.
3. Click Remove File Manager Access.

This will remove all storage group/upload user account mappings for the selected Control Center user account(s) -- the “Launch FileManager” icon will be removed when the account accesses the FileManager landing page (i.e., access to the UI will be blocked). Access can be re-established by using the Setup File Manager Access utility to re-add mappings for the selected Control Center user account.

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In the event that multiple Control Center user accounts are accessible to the currently active login, a checkbox will accompany the “CONTROL CENTER USERNAME” column header. This box can be clicked to select ALL mappings. Take caution when using this option, as it will remove all mappings once the Remove File Manager Access button is clicked.

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Limitations on use

File Manager is intended for convenience, not complex operations. It provides a basic UI to browse and manage content stored in NetStorage via Control Center. It is meant to be used for small and quick operations.

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File Manager doesn't preserve nested sub-directory structures on upload

Nested files will reside in the top-level directory.

You should not use File Manager and instead, implement a production file upload system, if any of these apply:

• You need to enforce directory and subdirectory restrictions. File Manager doesn't reflect directory, or subdirectory restrictions.
• You need to preserve directory structures.
• You need to traverse through complex directory trees.
• You need to initiate large data transfers, or upload large files.
• You need to perform other "mass operations," such a deleting or moving a large number of files.

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A "production file upload system" is one you develop using the various protocols available with NetStorage, or the NetStorage Usage API.

Don't simultaneously use the File Manager UI and NetStorage

Changes made in the actual NetStorage application will not be immediately reflected in the File Manager UI, and vice versa. For example, if a file is renamed using NetStorage, the entry for it in File Manager will not be automatically updated, and attempts to access the file in the UI will be met with an error (you would need to refresh the File Manager UI--and wait for the applicable update--to reflect the change). For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you do not use both applications simultaneously.

Use your access method

You can use File Manager once your upload account changes have propagated. View usage examples and limitations.