AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam

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Practice Test

Exam

Create and configure a file share in Azure Storage

Configure Azure File Share

Azure File Share provides a robust solution for managing file shares within Azure Storage, effectively facilitating secure file sharing. To initially set up an Azure file share, you must undertake three main steps: creating a storage account, configuring the file share, and managing access permissions. These steps ensure both security and efficiency in file distribution.

Creating a Storage Account

The first step is creating a storage account. This serves as the backbone of your Azure file share, and you can establish it using the Azure portal, PowerShell, Azure CLI, or templates. It's essential to select the correct type of storage account. For example, a general-purpose v2 account, or any of the premium offerings such as block blob, page blob, or file shares, are most suitable depending on your specific needs.

Configuring the File Share

After setting up your storage account, the next step is to configure the file share. Start by creating a root folder where files will reside. If you're handling block blob data, it's necessary to create a subfolder within the preferred access tier and then populate this subfolder with data. This subfolder acts like a container. The precise management of these containers is essential for keeping data organized and accessible.

Managing Access Permissions

Managing access permissions is a critical part of ensuring your file sharing is secure. Azure supports various methods to control access, using protocols like SMB and NFS. It's crucial to separate storage accounts for SMB and NFS to avoid data corruption issues. Adhering to Azure's storage size limits will also help maintain data integrity.

Best Practices

When transferring data to Azure, adopt these best practices:

  • Preserve metadata: Ensure that all important attributes such as ACLs, timestamps, and file properties are intact during transfers.
  • Avoid simultaneous uploads: Performing uploads simultaneously using Data Box and another app can lead to errors and corruption.
  • Utilize appropriate tools: For large-scale data transfers, consider tools like Robocopy or rsync for added reliability.

Conclusion

Configuring an Azure File Share requires creating a dedicated storage account, setting up the file share accurately, and diligently managing access permissions. Sticking to recommended practices guarantees effective and secure file distribution in an Azure environment.