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.

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 upload directories associated with the upload account.

For example, you have an upload account named uploadaccount1 that is associated with upload directory 123456 in 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 /123456. (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. Switch File Manager Access to on.
6. Ensure the Upload Directory matches the value from the previous steps.
7. Create File Manager access mappings as necessary.

Edit 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 access.
2. The Manage File Manager Access page will open.

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 includes a list upload accounts that can be associated with the selected Control Center user. You can filter the upload accounts by upload directories and storage groups they provide access to.

2. Locate the desired upload account and select a checkbox next to it.

3. Click Save.

Manage access by Upload Account

1. Select Access by Upload Account.

2. Locate the appropriate upload account 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 Save.

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.

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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.

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.

Configuration changes take time to propagate

Any changes in the configuration such as, changes to upload accounts require time to propagate. For example, you can make an upload directory available to a user which is immediately reflected in File Manager. The content of that upload directory is, however, only displayed after the configuration change propagation completes.

Use your access method

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