Working with Azure File storage

1. Working with Azure File storage

Welcome back! In this video, we're exploring Azure File Storage, a fully managed file share service that helps applications and teams collaborate securely in the cloud.

2. Introduction to File storage

Azure File Storage gives you the flexibility of a traditional file server, but without the headache of maintaining one. It's the perfect solution for developers and organizations looking for shared storage that works across on-premises and cloud environments.

3. What is Azure File storage?

Azure File Storage provides fully managed file shares that use industry-standard protocols like Server Message Block (SMB) for Windows and Network File System (NFS) for Linux. Think of it as a network file share, but managed entirely by Azure. You can create, organize, and manage shared folders just like you would on a local drive, except your data lives in the cloud, replicated for durability and accessible from anywhere.

4. Use cases

So, when should you use Azure File Shares? They're perfect for: Lift-and-shift migrations, where legacy apps expect traditional file shares. Hybrid access, where on-premises systems share data with Azure services. Cloud-native workloads that need persistent shared storage across multiple VMs or containers. Cipher Coffee, for instance, uses Azure File Shares to store daily sales reports that both the finance app in Azure and the local accounting team can access securely.

5. File access and protocols

Azure Files supports multiple access options: You can mount file shares using SMB on Windows, Linux, or macOS systems, or access them programmatically using the Azure Files REST API or client libraries for .NET, Python, and Java. This flexibility means you can automate uploads, build integration scripts, or run serverless jobs that read and write files directly to Azure Storage.

6. Identity and access control

Security and identity are critical in cloud storage. You can use storage account keys for quick access, but for production environments, Azure recommends Azure Active Directory Domain Services or Entra ID authentication for identity-based access. Through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), you can grant specific permissions, for example: Storage File Data SMB Share Contributor for users who need to upload or modify files, and Storage File Data SMB Share Reader for read-only access. This allows Cipher Coffee to control exactly who can view or edit sales data across departments

7. Snapshots and data protection

Azure File Shares support share-level snapshots, capturing the state of a share at a specific point in time. These snapshots let you recover previous versions of files after accidental deletion or modification, a lifesaver for teams working on shared documents. Cipher Coffee's HR department takes daily snapshots of its employee-data share to safeguard sensitive files against mistakes or ransomware.

8. Hybrid scenarios and File Sync

One of the biggest strengths of Azure Files is its hybrid capability. Using Azure File Sync, you can replicate cloud file shares to on-premises Windows Servers, keeping local copies for performance while syncing changes back to Azure. This gives you the best of both worlds: fast local access and the scalability of the cloud.

9. Developer tools and integration

Developers can integrate with Azure File Shares directly using the Azure SDKs or REST API for file operations like uploading, listing directories, and managing metadata. For example, Cipher Coffee’s data automation script uses the Python SDK to upload nightly transaction logs to a File Share, no manual steps required.

10. Recap

so to recap: Azure File Storage provides managed file shares with SMB, NFS, and REST support. It enables shared access across multiple systems and integrates with Azure AD for secure, identity-based permissions.

11. Recap

Snapshots and Azure File Sync deliver data protection and hybrid flexibility. And with SDKs and APIs, developers can easily integrate File Shares into applications.

12. Let's practice!

Let's practice!

Create Your Free Account

By continuing, you accept our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy and that your data is stored in the USA.