Shared file storage solutions are essential for enabling seamless data access and collaboration across corporate office locations. This article details technical strategies for deploying secure, scalable, and efficient shared storage systems tailored for organizational needs.
Establish and configure a storage account optimized for Azure Files.
Create a storage account dedicated to the finance department's shared file resources. In the portal, locate and select Storage accounts by using the search functionality.
Click + Create to initiate the process. For the Resource group, choose Create new, assign a name to the resource group, and click OK to confirm the changes. Specify a Storage account name, ensuring compliance with naming conventions. Configure the Performance setting to Premium. Set the Premium account type to File shares. Select Zone-redundant storage for the Redundancy option. Proceed to Review and then initiate the Create operation for the storage account. Await the completion of the resource deployment. Navigate to the resource by selecting Go to resource.
Establish and set up a file share including a designated directory.
Within the storage account, navigate to the Data storage section and access the File shares blade. Click + File share, then specify a Name for the share. Review the additional options, but retain the default settings. Finalize the process by selecting Create.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Azure Files provides a versatile and secure solution for deploying shared file storage across corporate office locations. By leveraging its managed file shares, snapshot capabilities, and robust network security features, organizations can streamline file management, enhance data protection, and support a distributed workforce. Careful planning around performance tiers, access controls, and backup strategies ensures a cost-effective and reliable deployment tailored to corporate needs.
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