# Cache, site, quota and subscription configuration

*Tableau Server Administrator Study Guide · Install & Configure · Last updated November 13, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-server-administrator/install-and-configure/cache-site-quota-and-subscription-configuration*

Configure Tableau Server after installation: the two cache controls, moving File Store between nodes, the server and site layers that turn on subscriptions, server customizations, and the site settings that cap users, license types and storage, plus project leaders, local and Active Directory groups and who may add users.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Server Administrator
- Exam section: Install & Configure
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-server-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> 2.2 Tableau Server Configuration: 2.2.1 Understand cache settings; 2.2.2 Understand how to: 2.2.2.1 Apply process distribution, 2.2.2.2 Configure Email alerts / subscriptions, 2.2.2.3 Configure optional customizations; 2.2.3 Describe: 2.2.3.1 Site configuration options, 2.2.3.2 User quotas, 2.2.3.3 Storage quota, 2.2.3.4 How to enable and edit site subscriptions, 2.2.3.5 Project configuration options, 2.2.3.6 Group and User Configuration options; 2.2.4 Understand who can add users.

## What the exam expects

- Pick the setting that sizes the external query cache versus the one that controls how long cached data is reused.
- Apply process distribution by moving File Store to another node in the documented order.
- Enable subscriptions at the server and the site, opt in to suspension notices, and add a home-page customization.
- Describe site options: user limits versus site role limits, storage quotas, the Default site, shared Run As account and sign-in, and who can add users.
- Configure projects, local groups with a minimum site role, and Active Directory groups.

Key terms: **Cache Server** (the shared external query cache); **site** (a walled-off set of users, groups and content on one Server instance); **site role limit** (a per-site cap on Creator, Explorer and Viewer licenses consumed); **storage quota** (a per-site GB cap on published content); **minimum site role** (the role a group grants its members when they sign in).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| `redis.max_memory_in_mb` | External query cache size in MB; default 1024 | [tsm configuration set Options](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cli_configuration-set_tsm.htm) |
| `tsm data-access caching set -r` | `low` default, minutes, or `always`/`0`; apply restarts Server | [Configure Data Cache](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/config_cache.htm) |
| Moving File Store | Backup, add, wait for running, decommission, then remove | [Move the File Store Process](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/distrib_de_move.htm) |
| Subscription server option | Off by default; SMTP first | [Configure Server Event Notification](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/email.htm) |
| Suspension | After 5 consecutive failures; opt-in notices per site | [Set Up a Site for Subscriptions](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/subscribe.htm) |
| Welcome banner | Up to 240 characters and one paragraph break | [Customize Your Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/customize.htm) |
| Default site | Can be renamed, never deleted | [Sites Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/sites_intro.htm) |
| Run As account | One per instance, shared by all sites | [Sites Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/sites_intro.htm) |
| Site Limit count | Licensed users only, administrators included | [Sites Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/sites_intro.htm) |
| Site role limit bounds | Not above activated licenses, not below current users | [Manage Site Role Limits](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/site_role_limit.htm) |
| Storage quota exceeded | New uploads blocked until under the limit | [Site Settings Reference](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/sites_add.htm) |
| Project leaders | Create nested projects; cannot delete top-level projects | [Use Projects to Manage Content Access](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/projects.htm) |

## Check yourself

- When does a subscription stop sending by default?
- What does `tsm data-access caching set -r 0` do?
- Why does a view URL on the Default site lack a `#/site/<id>` segment?
- When should a test subscription email arrive after Run Now?

## Sources

- [tsm configuration set Options](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cli_configuration-set_tsm.htm)
- [Tableau Server Cache Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/server_process_cache-server.htm)
- [Configure Data Cache](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/config_cache.htm)
- [Move the File Store Process](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/distrib_de_move.htm)
- [Set Up a Site for Subscriptions](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/subscribe.htm)
- [Configure Server Event Notification](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/email.htm)
- [Customize Your Server](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/customize.htm)
- [Sites Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/sites_intro.htm)
- [Manage Site Role Limits](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/site_role_limit.htm)
- [Site Settings Reference](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/sites_add.htm)
- [Use Projects to Manage Content Access](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/projects.htm)
- [Add Users to a Group](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/users_add_group.htm)
- [Create a Local Group](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/groups_create_local.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 16 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Server Administrator pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams