Understanding Azure File Shares

Introduction

Azure File Shares is a file storage service from Microsoft Azure that allows us to store and access files from the cloud, leveraging industry-standard file system protocols such as SMB and NFS. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key features, deployment options, and best practices for using Azure File Shares.

What is Azure File Shares?

Azure File Shares provides shared file storage in the cloud, accessible via the Server Message Block (SMB) or Network File System (NFS) protocols. It enables you to share files across cloud and on-premises environments without the complexity of managing traditional file servers or NAS appliances.

Deployment Options for Azure File Shares

1. Direct Mount (Serverless):

   • Mount Azure file shares directly using SMB or NFS protocols.
   • Suitable for cloud-native or on-premises scenarios.

2. Azure File Sync:

   • Cache Azure file shares on on-premises Windows Servers combining the centralized storage of Azure Files with local server performance.
   • Ideal for hybrid environments requiring low-latency access.

In this recipe, we will explore the direct mount option in detail. Read more about Azure File Sync at cloudericks.com/blog/understanding-file-sync-in-azure-storage-account. 

Choosing the Right Storage Account Type

Azure File Shares can be deployed in two main types of storage accounts:

1. General Purpose v2 (GPv2):

   • Supports HDD (standard) file shares with Hot, Cool, and Transaction Optimized tiers.
   • Does not support premium (SSD-backed) file shares.

2. Premium File Shares:

   • Exclusively supports premium SSD-backed file shares.
   • Designed for workloads requiring high performance and low latency.

Read more about storage account kinds at cloudericks.com/blog/understanding-azure-storage-account-types-and-kinds. 

Protocols Supported by Azure File Shares

Azure File Shares supports two widely used file system protocols: Server Message Block (SMB) and Network File System (NFS). These protocols enable seamless file sharing across diverse operating systems, allowing organizations to choose the best option for their workloads.

Key Highlights

1. SMB and NFS Compatibility: Azure file shares can utilize either SMB or NFS, but not both simultaneously on the same file share. SMB is widely used for Windows-based environments, while NFS is designed for Linux workloads.

2. NFS 4.1 is only supported on Premium file shares, which are optimized for high-performance workloads.

3. Billing Models:

   • Premium File Shares: Billed based on provisioned capacity.
   • Standard File Shares: Billed using a pay-as-you-go model.

Protocol Comparison

When to Use SMB

• Recommended OS: Windows 11 (21H2+), Windows 10 (21H1+), Windows Server 2019+, and Linux Kernel 5.3+.
• Suitable for environments dominated by Windows or mixed operating systems.
• Ideal for workloads requiring Active Directory integration and identity-based authentication.

When to Use NFS

• Recommended OS: Linux Kernel 4.3+.
• Designed for Linux-based POSIX-compliant workloads.
• Best suited for performance-intensive applications that rely on host-based authentication.

Best Practices

1. Use FileStorage for Premium Tiers:
   • To access SSD-backed storage, always create a FileStorage account.
2. Leverage Redundancy:
   • Choose redundancy options based on your risk tolerance and performance needs.
3. Optimize Networking:
   • Use Private Endpoints or VPN/ExpressRoute for secure on-premises access.
4. Backup Regularly:
   • Enable Azure Backup for automated snapshots and recovery.

Common Use Cases

1. Cloud-Native Applications:
   • Replace on-premises file servers with scalable Azure storage.
2. Hybrid Deployments:
   • Use Azure File Sync to maintain low-latency access to frequently accessed files.
3. Enterprise Workloads:
   • Store files for applications like ERP systems, backups, or team file shares.

Conclusion

Azure File Shares is a reliable, flexible, and secure file storage solution for modern workloads. Whether we need serverless cloud storage or hybrid on-premises integration, Azure File Shares can meet our needs. By understanding its deployment options, protocols, and features, we can leverage it to optimize our storage strategy and drive business success.