The Shared Folder is a folder shared on a file server that will be used as a central storage for files created while using the system. 

Those files include (examples):

- Database replication files (*.replic)
- Log files
- Document templates
- Blob files

As long as no suitable location is defined for this folder during [Server Installation](Server-Installation.md), the system will use the local public documents folder as the default location for storing files created by the system.

!!!WARNING
Those files won't be available to any other user on the network and the local user won't be able to access files stored by other users.  
This scenario is strictly limited to stand-alone installations of the system.
!!!

The File Server can be configured during the installation of the [Server Setup](Server-Installation.md) or can be defined by opening the ZeeBORN system and entering `Administration/Configuration` screen.

The configuration page for the Shared Folder can be found at `System > System Variables`.

The Shared Folder configuration must use the `\\server\networkshare` format to be accessible by all users.
Users must have read/write access permission.

## Blob Storage

If a central shared folder is defined for the system, this folder will also be used as a BLOB (binary large object) storage and will change the way how file attachments will be stored in the system and it will also enhance the performance and capabilities of the software.

Without configuring a shared folder, all file attachments will be stored directly in the database. As storing large files has a direct impact on the performance of the database, the file size of file attachments is limited to 20 MB. Files larger than 20 MB can't be added to the system.

If a shared folder is configured, all file attachments will be stored directly on the file server pointed to via the shared folder configuration. The file size of attachments is limited only by the storage capacity of the file server and of course by the file transfer capacity between office and vessels.

!!!DANGER IMPORTANT
As soon as one station in the fleet is configured for using a shared folder for file storage, all participating stations must also be configured for using a dedicated file server. Otherwise file attachments larger than 20 MB won't be synchronized.
!!!

*[PO]: Purchase Order  
*[AZA]: local folder
*[(PO]: Purchase Order  
*[RQ]: Requisition  
*[(RQ]: Requisition  
*[RfQ]: Request for Quotation  
*[(RfQ]: Request for Quotation  
*[SO]: Service Order  
*[(SO]: Service Order  
*[SQ]: Service Requisition  
*[(SQ]: Service Requisition  
*[SRfQ]: Service Request for Quotation  
*[OoB]: Open on Board  
*[(OoB]: Open on Board 
*[ART]: Average Running Time (operation hours per day) 
*[MC]: Master Contract
*[ADS]: Advantage Database Server (database engine used in previous versions of the ZeeBORN software)
*[.replic]: file extension for replication files (aka data transfer files)