# What is the File Manager

The File Manager provides controlled web access to the Virtual File Systems (VFS) defined in Data Mover.\
It allows authorized internal and external users to perform operations on files and folders (Virtual Paths) through an intuitive web interface.\
Depending on their permissions and access rights, users can browse folders, upload,  download and delete files, and manage metadata directly from a browser.

Users can authenticate and access Virtual File Systems according to the Connection Contract configuration and can operate on files and Virtual Paths according to ACLs.

As a result, file operations executed via File Manager may trigger contracts and downstream processing configured on the platform.

## Pre-requisites

* **HTTP/S server availability**\
  An HTTP or HTTPS server must be configured and reachable.\
  For details, see [Server Connections](/data-mover-1.21/transfer-protocols-and-connectors/server-connections.md), [Server Connection: HTTP](/data-mover-1.21/transfer-protocols-and-connectors/server-connections/server-connection-http.md), [Server Connection: HTTPS](/data-mover-1.21/transfer-protocols-and-connectors/server-connections/server-connection-https.md).
* **Actor and user setup**
  * An **Actor** (typically a Partner) must be configured.
  * A **User** must exist under that Actor and will authenticate to this API.
* **VFS access**\
  The Actor must have access to a **Virtual File System (VFS)**.
* **HTTP/S Connection Contract**\
  A **Connection Contract** must bind the Actor/User to the target VFS or Virtual Path.\
  For details, see: [Create a Connection Contract](/data-mover-1.21/contracts/create-your-first-contract/create-a-connection-contract.md).

## Web access endpoint

When an HTTP/S server is active on a STENG Peer, the File Manager web interface is automatically available on the same host and port.\
Users can access it from any web browser using the following URL format:

```
https://<host>:<port>/static?
```

* the host and port correspond to an active HTTP/S server on a STENG Peer within the target STENG Cluster.
* if a load balancer is configured, use the balancer’s hostname and port instead.


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