Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate Exam (AZ-104) Lab Preparation #6.2: Azure Files - File Sync

Introduction

To pass the AZ-104 exam, you have to finish several live online lab tests. This exercise will continue our previous lab and teach you how to implement Azure File Sync. You will learn how to centralize your file shares in Azure Files while maintaining the flexibility and performance of a Windows file server. By following these steps, you will gain hands-on experience in setting up Azure File Sync, which is essential for managing files seamlessly across your organization.

Azure File Sync

Azure File Sync enables you to centralize your organization's file shares in Azure Files while keeping the flexibility, performance, and compatibility of a Windows file server. For more detailed information about Azure File Sync, you can refer to the official Microsoft documentation.

Prerequisites

1. Turn off "IE Enhanced Security Configuration" in your registered Windows Server (i.e., VM1).

1. Download and install the "Azure File Sync Agent" on your registered Windows Server (i.e., VM1).

1. Install the "Az" PowerShell Module on your registered Windows Server (i.e., VM1).

Command1: Install-Module -Name Az -AllowClobber

Command2: Import-Module Az

Command3: Get-Module

Steps

Step 1
Navigate to Storage Sync Services and click + Create.

Step 2
In the Basics tab, enter:
Name: "DavidSyncService"

Step 3
Click Review + create, then click Create.

Step 4
Run C:\Program Files\Azure\StorageSyncAgent\ServerRegistration.exe in VM1.

Step 5
Click Sign in.

Step 6
Register the Storage Sync Service.

Step 7
After registration, check the registered server. You should find 1 registered server in your Storage Sync Service.

Step 8
Navigate to Storage Sync Services, click Sync groups, and then click + Create a sync group.

Step 9
In the sync group creation dialog, enter:

Sync group name: "DavidToShare"
Azure File Share: "share1" (which we created in our previous lab).
Click Create.

Step 10
Navigate to Sync group and click + Add server endpoint.

Step 11
In the Add server endpoint dialog:

Registered Server: "VM1"
Path: "C:\DavidData"
Click Create.

Result

Once the server endpoint status is healthy, the files in the server endpoint (VM1, C:\DavidData) will be synchronized to the cloud endpoint (share1). This allows you to maintain an up-to-date copy of your files both locally and in the cloud.

Conclusion

In this lab, you successfully configured Azure File Sync to synchronize files between your on-premises server and Azure Files. This setup not only enhances your organization's data management capabilities but also provides a robust solution for disaster recovery and business continuity. By mastering Azure File Sync, you are better prepared for the AZ-104 exam and equipped to handle real-world cloud storage scenarios. Continue practicing and exploring Azure services to deepen your understanding and skills in cloud management.

Comments

[David Au Yeung]

For advanced skills in file synchronization, you may need to learn more about cloud tiering!