1. Azure storage services
Some services are crucial for a vast array of scenarios and Azure storage is one of them.
2. What are Azure storage services?
Azure storage services are a set of cloud storage solutions provided by Azure.
These services offer secure storage options for various types of data, ranging from simple text to media files, and even big databases.
They allow users to store, retrieve, and manage data in Azure cloud, providing flexibility and scalability to meet various storage needs.
3. Azure storage services
Azure storage platform includes the following data services that we will examine in greater detail: blobs, files, queues, tables, and disks.
4. Storage account
Except for disks, every other service requires setting up a storage account to begin using them.
A storage account is like a virtual container for your data, providing ways to organize, access and secure your data in Azure cloud.
5. Blobs
Blobs, or Binary Large Objects, are designed for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as documents, images, videos, and others.
To provide context, it's important to note that unstructured data lacks a specific data structure, in contrast to structured data, like databases, which is organized with a clear format.
Blob service is one of the most important features found in storage accounts.
Azure handles the physical storage needs for blobs, freeing users from the need to consider or manage disks.
6. When to use blobs?
Blob storage is well-suited for:
Storing files for widespread access.
Streaming video and audio content.
Storing data for backup, disaster recovery, and archiving.
Direct delivery of images or documents to the web.
7. Blob storage tiers
Certain data requires immediate access, incurring higher costs, while other data can tolerate delays between the request and delivery.
Azure provides four different access tiers for blob storage to optimize cost.
Hot access tier is best for frequently accessed data, like images on a website.
Cool access tier is ideal for data accessed infrequently, such as customer invoices.
Cold access tier is suited for rarely accessed data, like short-term backups.
Archive access tier is designed for archiving, like long-term backups.
8. Files
Azure files service provides organized file spaces in the cloud that can be easily accessed from various devices, including both cloud and on-premises systems.
Once connected to Azure cloud, files can be accessed from most operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
9. When to use files?
You might consider using Azure files for:
When a shared storage solution is required for multiple users or applications.
The ability to access files from various operating systems, when cross-platform access is needed.
You require a centralized cloud location for file collaboration.
You need to share application data between different instances or components of an application.
10. Queues
Queue storage is a digital message service in the cloud.
This messaging system enables communication between various components, programs or applications, helping them work together efficiently by sharing information and instructions.
These messages are stored, basically creating a queue of working instructions.
Usually, queue services are implemented in workflows containing multiple other services.
11. How queues work
So how do queues really work?
Imagine it's Black Friday, and many people are placing orders for a discounted laptop on an online shop.
Even if orders come in simultaneously, they can't be processed all at once.
Instead, they get lined up in a queue.
This queue ensures that an automated system processes each order correctly, preventing information loss, especially during busy times like Black Friday shopping.
12. Tables
Tables service is a NoSQL data store found in storage accounts.
It allows you to store and retrieve data in a flexible, schema-less way.
Tables are particularly suitable for applications that require fast and scalable access to large amounts of unstructured data, such as key-value pairs.
Due to their cost-effectiveness and simple management, they are occasionally favored over more complex database services.
13. Disks
Azure Disks, also known as Azure Managed Disks, provide scalable and secure persistent storage for virtual machines.
They are similar to regular hard drives but in a virtual form.
It allows you to attach disk volumes to your virtual machines, providing them with the necessary storage space for operating systems, applications, and data.
Azure Disks play a crucial role in virtual machines functionality, and we'll explore them further in upcoming chapters.
14. Let's practice!
Practice makes perfect! Let's get started on your learning adventure.