Windows File Server vs Windows Server

Windows File Server Auditing

Windows file servers are computers and storage devices dedicated to storing files in a NAS / SAN setup [Network-attached-storage (small scale) / Storage-area-network (large scale)]. Protect the sensitive data by knowing who did what change, when and from where.

Windows Server Auditing

A Windows Server is a computer that runs an operating system in the Windows Server family, belongs to a domain, but is not a domain controller. Windows Servers typically function as the following types of servers: non-dedicated file servers, application servers, database servers, Web servers, certificate servers, firewalls and remote-access servers.

For a detailed review on the differentiation & auditing possibilities, have a look at the table below.

Description	Windows Server	Windows File Server
Windows File Server Auditing
Windows File Server / Windows FailOver Server Clusters, Securely track document changes, folders audit-access, shares and permissions
All file or folder changes (Including hidden shares) / folder settings / permission changes, user / server based changes
Know every failed attempt & successful file creation, modification, deletion, moved or renamed, copy-n-pasted
NetApp Filers View all NetApp Filer CIFS shares changes with reports on files created / modified / deleted, permission changes & failed attempt to file read / write
Windows Server Auditing
Windows Server Detailed reports: Summary report, process tracking, policy changes, system events, object management (local users / groups) and scheduled tasks
Logon / logoff audit, logon history, logon duration
System start, stop, audit log clearance, terminal services activity & RADIUS logons
File Integrity Monitoring Monitor attempted / changes to configurations, files (Log, audit, text, exe, web, configuration, DB) & file attributes (dll, exe and other system files)
Printer Auditing Audit printer usage, recent print jobs, user / printer based reports
Removable Storage Auditing Monitor all file or folder changes, file read / modified / copy and paste. (Supported in Windows Server 2012 & Windows 8)
Common Features
Custom Reports Logon / logoff audit, logon history, logon duration
Schedule Reports Choose from the pre-configured audit reports for automatic periodic report generation- right to your inbox. 50+ Search Attributes | Filter reports on business / non-business / all hours
Email Alerts Instant on-screen alerts and emailing of alerts to your inbox! User, time and volume based threshold alerts
Data Archiving Audit printer usage, recent print jobs, user / printer based reports
Compliance Reports View pre-packaged Compliance specific reports for SOX, HIPAA, FISMA, PCI-DSS & GLBA

Windows File Server Auditing helps audit storage devices (Windows File Server / Windows FailOver Cluster / NetApp Filer). Monitor every file / folder changes along with access / permission events.

Know More: Windows File Server Auditing | File Server Access Permissions | File Server Cluster Auditing | NetApp Filer Auditing

Windows Server Auditing helps monitor servers configured in the Windows Server Environment with detailed reports on Local Logon / Logoff, Terminal Services / RADIUS logon activities, System events, Processes, Scheduled tasks, Summary reports.....

Know More: Windows Server Auditing | Printer Auditing | File Integrity Monitoring | Removable Storage Auditing