FSx provides fully managed third-party file systems on AWS. The exam mainly cares about two flavors and when each applies.
FSx for Windows vs Lustre
FSx for Windows File Server gives you a managed Windows-native (SMB) file share — the answer whenever a scenario mentions Windows shared files or Active Directory integration. FSx for Lustre is a high-performance file system for compute-heavy workloads like HPC and machine learning that need to process S3 data fast.
Test yourself
A Windows application requires a shared file system using SMB with Active Directory integration. Which service?
- Amazon EFS
- Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
- Amazon S3
- Amazon FSx for Lustre
👉 Click to reveal the answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. FSx for Windows File Server provides a managed SMB share with Active Directory support — built for Windows. EFS (A) is Linux/NFS; S3 (C) is object storage; FSx for Lustre (D) targets high-performance compute, not Windows shares.
Related topics
EBS vs EFS vs S3 · Storage Gateway · Amazon S3
Ready to pass the AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03)?
Stop guessing whether you’re ready. Our full-length, exam-realistic practice exams put you through the exact question style you’ll face — with a detailed explanation behind every answer, so you learn why, not just what.
- ✓ 6 full-length practice exams
- ✓ A detailed explanation for every single question
- ✓ Realistic, scenario-based questions — not memory dumps
- ✓ Lifetime access, kept current for 2026
Get the SAA-C03 Practice Exams →or try 25 free questions first