Configure Archive

Configure Archive to enable the feature and set up archive storage for your Vault. This requires Vault Administrator rights and proper planning of storage targets.

Prepare archive storage

  1. Create a dedicated folder on a resilient volume or SMB share:

    • Use a path like \\fileserver\vault-archive
    • Ensure sufficient capacity for expected archive growth
    • Verify monitoring and backup coverage for the location

  2. Grant the Vault impersonation account Full Control permissions:

    • Set NTFS permissions to Full Control
    • Set Share permissions to Full Control
    • Validate the account has read/write access to the target location

Confirm prerequisites

  1. Verify you have Vault Administrator rights in the target vault

  2. Take a fresh, tested Vault backup before enabling Archive:

    • Use ADMS Console backup functionality
    • Include SQL databases and file stores
    • Test the backup to ensure it can be restored

Enable Archive for a vault

  1. Open the Vault Server (ADMS Console)

  2. Right-click on the vault where you want to enable Archive

  3. Select Enable Archive from the context menu

  4. In the Archive File Store Location field:

    • Enter the UNC path (e.g., \\server\share\folder)
    • Or browse to the archive location using the Browse button

  5. Click OK to save the settings

Archive is now enabled for the vault. Note that once enabled, Archive cannot be disabled.

Define archive policies

  1. Create a written policy document that specifies:

    • Scope: File categories, lifecycles, properties, and age criteria
    • Behavior: Archive actions (e.g., archive versions older than N, include/exclude latest)
    • Retention: Retention duration, deletion behavior, legal hold respect
    • Dependencies: Option to include children or maintain assembly integrity
    • Permissions: Who should have the ability to archive files

  2. Save and communicate the policy to relevant stakeholders

Assign permissions and governance

  1. Configure who can run on-demand archiving:

    • Go to Tools > Administration > Global Settings > Manage Access
    • Consider creating a group with Folder Archive and File Archive permissions
    • You can create a custom role with these permissions
    • Assign users to the appropriate group or role

Pilot and enable

  1. Run an on-demand archive with a small, low-risk scope

  2. Validate the results:

    • Confirm archived files can be downloaded and opened without failure
    • Check History, Where Used, and Uses tabs for integrity
    • Verify the archive storage location contains the expected files

  3. Adjust policies if needed based on pilot results

  4. Enable full archive operations once validation is complete

Parent page: Archive