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Adebayo Ebofin
Adebayo Ebofin

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Provide shared file storage for the company offices

Introduction
Shared file storage is a system that allows multiple users to access and share files from a central location. It's like a digital filing cabinet that everyone can contribute to and retrieve from.  

Benefits of Shared File Storage:
a. Centralized Access: All files are stored in one place, making them easy to find and manage.  
b. Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same files simultaneously, improving teamwork and efficiency.  
c. Version Control: Different versions of a file can be tracked and accessed, ensuring that you always have the most up-to-date information.  
d. Security: Access can be controlled, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized users.  
e. Scalability: Shared file storage can easily be expanded to accommodate growing storage needs.  

NOTE: The company is geographically dispersed with offices in different locations. These offices need a way to share files and disseminate information. For example, the Finance department needs to confirm cost information for auditing and compliance. This file shares should be easy to access and load without delay. Some content should only be accessed from selected corporate virtual networks.

Here are steps to follow in creating shared file storage:
Skilling tasks

  • Create a storage account specifically for file shares.
  • Configure a file share and directory.
  • Configure snapshots and practice restoring files.
  • Restrict access to a specific virtual network and subnet.

Create and configure a storage account for Azure Files.

  1. Create a storage account for the finance department’s shared files. a. In the portal, search for and select Storage accounts. Image description b. Select + Create. Image description c. For Resource group select Create new. Give your resource group a name and select OK to save your changes. Image description d. Provide a Storage account name. Ensure the name meets the naming requirements. e. Set the Performance to Premium. f. Set the Premium account type to File shares. g. Set the Redundancy to Zone-redundant storage. h. Select Review and then Create the storage account. Image description Image description i. Wait for the resource to deploy. j. Select Go to resource. Image description Create and configure a file share with directory.
  2. Create a file share for the corporate office. a. In the storage account, in the Data storage section, select the File shares blade. b. Select + File share and provide a Name. Image description Image description c. Review the other options, but take the defaults. d. Select Create Image description Image description
  3. Add a directory to the file share for the finance department. For future testing, upload a file. a. Select your file share and select + Add directory. Image description b. Name the new directory finance. Image description c. Select Browse and then select the finance directory. Image description d. Notice you can Add directory to further organize your file share. e. Upload a file of your choosing. Image description Configure and test snapshots.
  4. Similar to blob storage, you need to protect against accidental deletion of files. You decide to use snapshots. a. Select your file share. b. In the Operations section, select the Snapshots blade. Image description c. Select + Add snapshot. The comment is optional. Select OK Image description d. Select your snapshot and verify your file directory and uploaded file are included. Image description 2.Practice using snapshots to restore a file. a. Return to your file share. b. Browse to your file directory. Image description c. Locate your uploaded file and in the Properties pane select Delete. Select Yes to confirm the deletion. Image description Image description d. Select the Snapshots blade and then select your snapshot. Image description e. Navigate to the file you want to restore, f. Select the file and the select Restore. Image description g. Provide a Restored file name. Image description h. Verify your file directory has the restored file. Image description Configure restricting storage access to selected virtual networks.
  5. This tasks in this section require a virtual network with subnet. In a production environment these resources would already be created. a. Search for and select Virtual networks. Image description b. Select Create. Select your resource group. and give the virtual network a name. Image description c. Take the defaults for other parameters, select Review + create, and then Create. Image description Image description d. Wait for the resource to deploy. e. Select Go to resource. Image description f. In the Settings section, select the Subnets blade. g. Select the default subnet. Image description h. In the Service endpoints section choose Microsoft.Storage in the Services drop-down. i. Do not make any other changes. j. Be sure to Save your changes. Image description
  6. The storage account should only be accessed from the virtual network you just created. Learn more about using private storage endpoints.. a. Return to your files storage account. Image description b. In the Security + networking section, select the Networking blade. c. Change the Public network access to Enabled from selected virtual networks and IP addresses. d. In the Virtual networks section, select Add existing virtual network. e. Select your virtual network and subnet, select Add. Image description f. Be sure to Save your changes. g. Select the Storage browser and navigate to your file share. Image description h. Verify the message not authorized to perform this operation. You are not connecting from the virtual network. Image description

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