Azure Shared File Storage is a managed cloud-based file system that allows multiple users, virtual machines, or applications to access the same files concurrently over a network. A shared file storage is hosted inside an Azure storage account. It behaves like a traditional network file server but without managing physical hardware.
In this project, I will show you how to;
- Create a storage account.
- 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.
- 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 meets the naming requirements.
- 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.
- Select Go to resource.
Create and configure a file share with directory.
1. Create a file share for the corporate office.
- In the storage account, in the Data storage section, select the File shares blade.
- Select + File share and provide a Name.
- Review the other options, but take the defaults.
- Select Create
2. Add a directory to the file share for the finance department. For future testing, upload a file.
- Select your file share and select + Add directory.
- Name the new directory finance.
- Select Browse and then select the finance directory.
Notice you can Add directory to further organize your file share.
Upload a file of your choosing.
Configure and Test Snapshots.
What is a Snapshot in Azure File Share
A snapshot in Azure File Share is a read-only, point-in-time copy of an entire file share within an Azure Storage Account.
It captures the state of all files and directories at the moment the snapshot is created without interrupting active workloads.
These are the key characteristics of a snapshot; cannot be modified, it's stored within the same storage account, used to restore individual files or entire shared files.
1. Similar to blob storage, you need to protect against accidental deletion of files. You decide to use snapshots
- 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.
2. 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.
- Verify your file directory has the restored file.
Configure restricting storage access to selected virtual networks.
1. This tasks in this section require a virtual network with subnet. In a production environment these resources would already be created.
- 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.
2. The storage account should only be accessed from the virtual network you just created.
- Return to your files storage account.
- In the Security + networking section, select the Networking blade.
- Change the Public network access to Enabled from selected virtual networks and IP addresses.
- 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.
Conclusion
Shared file storage in Microsoft Azure, delivered through Azure File Shares within Azure Storage Accounts, provides a fully managed, scalable, and highly available SMB/NFS-based file system accessible from multiple servers and locations. It enables centralized data access for distributed teams, hybrid environments, and cloud-native workloads without the overhead of managing physical file servers.
Snapshots in Azure File Shares enhance this capability by providing point-in-time, read-only copies of data. They support data protection, operational recovery, and compliance by enabling fast restoration of files or entire shares in the event of accidental deletion, corruption, or ransomware incidents. Together, shared file storage and snapshots form a resilient, enterprise-grade file management solution in the Azure ecosystem.
Top comments (2)
Neat🫡👌👌
Appreciation 🙏