How to provide shared file storage for company offices

In this article, we will share the process of providing shared file storage for company offices dispersed in different locations to ease file sharing and the dissemination of information.

The first step is to Create a storage account specifically for file shares.

• In the portal, search for and select Storage accounts. Select + Create.

• For Resource group select Create new. Give your resource group a name and select OK to save your changes.

• Provide a Storage account name. Ensure the name is unique
• Set the Performance to Premium.
• Set the Premium account type to File shares.
• Set the Redundancy to Zone-redundant storage.
• Select Review and then Create the storage account.

• Wait for the resource to deploy and select Go to resource.

The next step is to create and configure a file share with directory.

• In the Data storage section of the storage account, select the Classic file shares blade.
• Select + Classic file share and provide a Name.

• Review the other options but take the defaults.
• Select Create

• Select your file share and select + Add directory.
• Name the new directory finance.

• Select Browse and then select the finance directory.
• Upload a file of your choosing.

Configure and test snapshots.

This is done to protect against accidental deletion of files.

• Select your file share. In the Operations section, select the Snapshots blade. Select + Add snapshot. The comment is optional. Select OK.

Select your snapshot and verify your file directory and uploaded file are included.
Practice using snapshots to restore a file.

• Return to your file share.
• Browse to your file directory.
• Locate your uploaded file and in the Properties pane select Delete.
• Select Yes to confirm the deletion.
• Select the Snapshots blade and then select your snapshot.
• Navigate to the file you want to restore,
• Select the file and the select Restore.
• Provide a Restored file name.

Configure restricting storage access to selected virtual networks.

• Search for and select Virtual networks.

• Select Create. Select your resource group. and give the virtual network a name.

• Take the defaults for other parameters, select Review + create, and then Create.

Wait for the resource to deploy.

• Select Go to resource.

• In the Settings section, select the Subnets blade.
• Select the default subnet.
• In the Service endpoints section choose Microsoft.Storage in the Services drop-down.

Do not make any other changes.
Be sure to Save your changes.

To ensure the storage account should only be accessed from the virtual network you just created, the following steps below is carried out.

• Return to your files storage account.
• In the Security + networking section, select the Networking blade.

• Change the Public network access to Enabled from selected networks.
• In the Virtual networks section, select Add existing virtual network.
• Select your virtual network and subnet, select Add. Be sure to Save your changes.

• Select the Storage browser and navigate to your file share. Verify the message not authorized to perform this operation. You are not connecting from the virtual network.

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