The Storage Made Easy File Fabric provides an S3 compatible API into any on-premises or on-cloud storage whether the storage provider supports the S3 protocol or not.
The AWS CLI is one of the best opensource tools for working with S3 compatible storage. When working with storage providers other than Amazon, the commands can get lengthy to type.
Simply access with Aliases in Mac, Windows, and Linux
Working with AWS CLI and Storage Made Easy can involve alot of typing. Aliases minimize the typing needed. Turn the following:
aws --endpoint=https://s3.storagemadeeasy.com --profile=SME s3 ls
Into:
fileFabric s3 ls
Linux Aliases
Linux users have a hidden file called .bashrc which contains environmental settings. Adding an alias to .bashrc will allow for tab autocompletion for the aws cli command.
Once aws cli is configured and working add the endpoint and profile settings to ~/.bashrc with your favorite editor. There should already be an alias section.
The following example uses “fileFabric” as the alias for accessing the SME profile and endpoint.
alias fileFabric='aws --endpoint=https://s3.storagemadeeasy.com --profile=SME'
Once added, either log out or use the following command to reload the environment:
source ~/.bashrc
Now give it a try:
fileFabric s3 ls s3://SME
Mac OS X Aliases
Mac users can add aliases to a file called .bash_profile.
First create .bash_profile
touch ~/.bash_profile
Now add the following example which uses “fileFabric” as the alias for accessing the SME profile and endpoint.
alias fileFabric='aws --endpoint=https://s3.storagemadeeasy.com --profile=SME'
Once added, either log out or use the following command to reload the environment:
source ~/.bash_profile
Now give it a try:
fileFabric s3 ls s3://SME
Windows Aliases
Windows can also use aliases. To use the alias “fileFabric” to access the US SaaS server do the following:
Create a text file env.cmd in the user’s Documents folder. Add the following to it:
@echo off doskey fileFabric=aws --endpoint=https://s3.storagemadeeasy.com --profile=SME $*
Next open Regedit and add the following Key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor
Name: AutoRun
Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Data: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\env.cmd
Now open the command prompt and give it a try:
fileFabric s3 ls s3://SME
Conclusion
Aliases are great for saving typing when using AWS CLI with the Storage Made Easy File Fabric or other non-Amazon S3 compatible Storage.
by 
Douglas Soltesz
Latest posts by Douglas Soltesz (see all)
- LucidLink Technology Preview Setup Guide - September 6, 2021
- The features and benefits of using LucidLink with the Enterprise File Fabric - September 2, 2021
