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Understanding File System Compatibility and Permissions in Serv-U
This article describes what are the type of File System that works for Serv-U and how Serv-U receives and manages its permission for this File System.
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Overview
Serv-U uses a Home Directory and File Share Directory for user management.
Regardless of whether it was a local drive, network drive, or a cloud drive, in order for it to be usable with Serv-u, it needed to comply with the Serv-U architecture requirements.
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Serv-u is designed to mount a file system or provide POSIX-like access (API).
A POSIX file system follows the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) standard, which defines how files and directories are managed on a Unix-like system.
For more information about the POSIX File System: POSIX - Wikipedia
In order to manage the File Server, Serv-U uses Impersonation of a Client Account.
Client Impersonation and Delegation - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn
Impersonation allows a process (such as a service or application) to execute actions on behalf of a user.
In a POSIX environment, impersonation allows applications to temporarily assume the identity of another user to access files and resources as if they were that user.
In the past, Serv-U uses Local System Account for running the Serv-U Service.
However, this has been changed from Serv-U version 15.3.2 onwards as this setup poses a vulnerability.
On Serv-U versions 15.3.2 onward, the "Network Service" Account is now the default account running the Serv-U service, as it has no permission to any local data.
Therefore, this Network Service account must be granted Full Permission to access all Paths and Files that Serv-U needs to access, for Serv-u to manage your Files on behalf of the user
Ref: Running Serv-U under NETWORK SERVICE
On the other hand, if the Home Directory or Serv-U path to be used is a network drive, a Windows Account that already has full permission on the network drive and is sharing it can be used instead.
Our development team has confirmed that Serv-U does not impose any limitations on using cloud-based file shares. However, they need to be mounted or set up with POSIX-like access (API) for file sharing.
For the cloud file system, it is best to contact the provider whether it is a POSIX-like access (API) or how the cloud File System can be configured to be like POSIX-like access (API).