Storage planning for SharePoint deployments can be very tricky. It can be difficult to take into account the fact that all data, including the physical files, are stored inside the content database instead of in a defined file system.  This storage reality can cause valuable database storage to be eaten up very quickly when users migrate from network file shares to SharePoint document management.  Luckily, this is exactly where Bamboo’s FIle Share Library comes in. With File Share Library, you can link an existing network share directory to the special document library, providing your users the familiar look and feel of SharePoint Document Libraries while keeping the physical files out of your content database, thus utilizing your existing hardware investments.

WIth the release of version 2.0 for SharePoint 2010, File Share Library‘s file synchronization has improved with much cleaner options when actions occur in either the File Share Library or the associated Network File Share.

• When an item is added to the File Share Library:
  • Add the file to the Network File Share and create a reference in File Share Library.
  • Add the file to the File Share Library only.*
• When an Item is deleted:
  • From the File Share Library
    • Delete the corresponding file in the Network File Share.
    • Move the corresponding file in the Network File Share to a designated archive location.
  • From the Network File Share
    • Change the status of the corresponding file in the File Share Library to “Lost,” preserving the metadata.
    • Delete the corresponding file in the File Share Library.
• When files are imported from the Network File Share, the original file should be*:
  • Left in the Network File Share.
  • Deleted from the Network File Share.
  • Moved to a designated archive location on a different Network File Share.

* These features are useful for customers who want to gradually migrate existing Network File Shares into SharePoint but want to import the files at their own pace, and is articulary useful if the corporate policy is to shut down the old Network File Shares and move all information to SharePoint.

Ready to give File Share Library a try? Jump over to the File Share Library product page and select Add Trial to Cart to download a fully-functional 30-day trial. Already an owner of File Share Library? Review the upgrade instructions found in the Online Documentation.