AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Analyze and Implement SMB Version and Security Configurations

Azure Files uses the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol to provide file shares in hybrid environments. By default, Azure Files is set for maximum compatibility, which lets most clients connect without special settings. However, organizations often need higher security to protect data in transit and at rest. Adjusting SMB settings lets you balance compatibility, performance, and security based on your specific requirements.

When configuring SMB versions, you can choose SMB 3.1.1, SMB 3.0, or SMB 2.1. Note that enabling require secure transfer blocks SMB 2.1 because it doesn’t support encryption in transit. Using SMB 3.x versions lets you take advantage of end-to-end encryption and multichannel transport for better performance. Ensuring you pick the correct SMB version is key to meeting both client compatibility and security policies.

Authentication methods are another critical area. Azure Files supports NTLMv2 and Kerberos for authenticating SMB sessions. NTLMv2 relies on the storage account key, while Kerberos uses domain credentials and offers more granular access control. Disabling NTLMv2 forces clients to use Kerberos, which can improve security but may require additional Active Directory configuration.

Encryption settings differ between SMB channel encryption and Kerberos ticket encryption. For the SMB channel, you can choose algorithms like AES-256-GCM, AES-128-GCM, or AES-128-CCM to protect data in transit. Kerberos tickets can be encrypted using AES-256 or RC4-HMAC. Selecting the strongest supported algorithms, such as AES-256-GCM for the SMB channel, ensures compliance with strict regulatory requirements.

You can manage all these settings through the Azure portal, PowerShell, or Azure CLI. In the portal, navigate to Storage accounts > Data storage > File shares, then select the Security profile under File share settings. Here, you can pick Maximum compatibility, Maximum security, or create a Custom configuration. Using scripts lets you automate these changes across multiple storage accounts, ensuring your environment remains consistent and secure.

Conclusion

In summary, configuring and managing SMB options in Azure Files involves selecting the right SMB version, choosing secure authentication methods, and applying strong encryption algorithms. By using the Azure portal or automation tools like PowerShell and Azure CLI, you can enforce consistent security profiles across your hybrid infrastructure. Properly balancing compatibility and security ensures that your Windows Server file shares remain both accessible and protected in Azure.