Skip to main content

Azure Files

Updated Nov 16, 2020 ·
NOTES

This is not an exhaustive documentation of all the existing Azure Services. These are summarized notes for the Azure Certifications.

To see the complete documentation, please go to: Azure documentation

Overview​

Azure Files makes file shares available in the cloud, offering a fully managed solution.

  • Supports access through the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, an industry-standard.
  • Azure file shares can be mounted from Windows, Linux, and Mac OS machines, both in the cloud and on-premises.
  • Azure File Sync Allows caching Azure file shares on Windows servers close to users for faster data access.
  • Azure Files can replace or supplement on-premises file servers and NAS devices.
  • Enables control of Azure file share permissions through on-prem Active Directories.
  • Useful for lifting and shifting applications to the cloud, especially those relying on file shares for data storage.

Management and Operations​

  • Fully Managed: Azure Files is a fully managed service, eliminating concerns about hardware management, OS installation, patching, and security upgrades.
  • Command Line and Portal Management:
    • Use familiar PowerShell commands and Azure CLI commands for creating, mounting, and managing Azure file shares.
    • Management through the Azure portal and Azure Storage Explorer is also supported.

Resilience and Reliability​

  • Built to Be Resilient: Azure Files is designed with resilience, eliminating worries about file server upgrades, local power outages, and network issues affecting on-prem file shares.