Azure Files

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Written by: Craig Wester
Published: October 14, 2020

Azure Files is an easy and cost-effective way to store your critical files from personal to business-critical applications. Azure Files allow you to remotely and securely access your files. It also supports a migration or replication of your on-premise file server to the cloud without the need to manage hardware. This is a managed service with a backend managed completely by Microsoft, so all you need to worry about is user access permission and the files themselves.

Azure Files

Easily Scalable

Azure Files allows you to easily scale to allow larger sizes, lower latency, and increase IOPS. You can easily back the storage with standard storage or premium so you can maximize cost for performance, and increase the amount of resources available when required, and scale back down to save costs.

Azure Files

Security and Access Control

Azure files now support Active Directory integration. You can now join the Azure Files share to your domain and manage control using Active Directory groups like you would with an on-premise file share. If you do not have AD DS on-prem, you can leverage Azure Active Directory to manage access easily.

Azure File Sync

You can now migrate your on-premise file share directly to Azure Files using Azure File Sync. This makes it quick and easy to completely move your file share to the cloud. If you aren’t ready to completely move, you can run Azure Files as a backup solution to your file server, and Azure File Sync will keep a replica of your file share in the cloud if you ever need to recover any documents.

Azure File Sync

How to Setup Azure Files

Prerequisites:

In order to follow the video, please install the AZ PowerShell module on your machine and all domain controllers by launching PowerShell as an administrator and typing: “install-module az” on each machine.

These videos assume you already have a virtual network in Azure and domain controllers configured.

Create a Storage Account to Hold Your Files and Folders

 
 

Download the Required PowerShell Modules to Setup Azure Files

 

Run the PowerShell Command

 

Join the Storage Account to Your AD DS

 

Create a Subnet to Host Your Private Endpoint to Connect to the Storage Account

 

Create the Endpoint Itself So Access the Storage Account Privately

 

Add DNS Entries for on-Prem Servers for the Storage Account Endpoint

 

Add DNS Entries for Azure Servers for the Storage Account Endpoint

 

Mount the Drive Using the Storage Account Name and Key

 
 

Assign Permissions to Users/Groups That Require Access

 

Assign Azure Permissions to Users/Groups That Require Access

 

Map the Drive Using Domain Credentials

 

Closing Statements

 

360 Visibility can assist you with the implementation of Azure Files and answer any questions you may have. Leverage our Cloud Infrastructure Advisory Services today to have your questions answered or have a technician assist you directly with configuring Azure Files for your specific use-case!

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