Azure Storage supports multiple storage types, including Blob Storage for modern unstructured data and Azure Files for traditional file-share scenarios.
Azure Files is part of a standard storage account and shares storage-account settings such as region and replication model.
Azure Files provides backward-compatible file access through SMB and traditional folder-based file shares.
Use cases and access
Azure File Shares are useful for replacing or extending existing network shares such as NetApp shares, home drives, and branch caching repositories.
Unlike Blob Storage access through URLs, Azure Files can be mounted as a drive using SMB and UNC paths.
Azure Files is also useful for container deployments that require durable file-share storage.
Connecting to shares
After creating a file share, the Azure portal provides a Connect option with scripts for mapping the share on supported operating systems.
The generated script can use commands such as net use, includes the server and share name, maps a drive letter, and checks required connectivity such as SMB port 445.
Protection and recovery
Azure Files supports snapshots that capture point-in-time versions of files, allowing recovery of earlier versions when snapshots exist.
Snapshots are not a replacement for regular backups to known good recovery points.
Soft delete can help recover deleted information, with default retention mentioned as about seven days and configurable settings.
Soft delete also does not replace regular backup practices.
Management tools
Azure Storage Explorer provides a graphical interface for managing files and multiple storage accounts from desktop or mobile devices.
Storage Explorer capabilities are also built into the Azure portal for easier navigation and management.
Summary
Azure Files adds file-share based unstructured storage to Azure, supporting both legacy mapped-drive needs and modern container storage scenarios.
File shares remain an important part of organizational data structures and can help meet storage requirements in Azure.
Actiepunten
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