3.1.1.5. Configure Azure Files
š” First Principle: Azure Files provides a fully managed, cloud-based file share service that integrates seamlessly with existing applications via standard protocols (SMB/NFS), enabling lift-and-shift migrations and hybrid file sharing without managing server infrastructure.
Scenario: You need to migrate an on-premises file server that stores shared documents for employees. These documents are accessed by both Windows and Linux machines. You want a cloud solution that maintains file share compatibility without requiring a dedicated VM for the file server.
What It Is: Azure Files is a managed file share service in Azure that provides cloud file shares accessible via standard Server Message Block (SMB) and Network File System (NFS) protocols.
Creating an Azure File Share:
- In the Azure portal, create/select a storage account.
- Under the Files service, add a new file share.
- Choose a performance tier:
- Standard (HDD/SSD, general workloads): For general-purpose, cost-sensitive workloads with average performance needs.
- Premium (SSD, high performance): For high-performance, low-latency needs, like databases or critical enterprise applications.
- Select redundancy:
- LRS (Locally Redundant Storage), ZRS (Zone-Redundant Storage), or GRS (Geo-Redundant Storage) for durability and availability.
Accessing File Shares:
- Windows: Map a network drive using the UNC path (e.g.,
\\<storageaccount>.file.core.windows.net\<sharename>) and credentials. - Linux: Mount via SMB (
mount -t cifs ...) or NFS (if enabled). - Azure VMs: Access directly using SMB/NFS, benefiting from low-latency Azure networking.
Security:
- Use Shared Access Signatures (SAS) for scoped, time-limited access.
- Enable Entra ID authentication for identity-based access control.
ā ļø Common Pitfall: Exposing the storage account key to end-users to mount file shares. This grants excessive permissions. Use SAS tokens or Entra ID authentication for more secure, granular access.
Key Trade-Offs:
- Performance vs. Cost (Tiers): Premium file shares offer significantly better performance and lower latency but at a higher cost than Standard shares.
Reflection Question: How does configuring Azure File Shares with appropriate performance tiers and redundancy options fundamentally enable you to abstract infrastructure and provide secure, seamless data sharing and application integration for shared files?