AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Provision and Configure Azure File Sync for DFS Migration

Azure File Sync lets you move your on-premises files into the cloud while still keeping a local copy for fast access. When planning to migrate your Distributed File System (DFS) to Azure, you first need to make sure your environment is ready. By using Azure File Sync, you get a single, central location for all your file shares in the cloud, with the ability to keep frequently used files on your local servers.

Before you begin, you must analyze on-premises DFS namespaces and file shares to check compatibility with Azure File Sync. You also need to identify dependencies like applications or scripts that use these shares. Finally, you should determine capacity requirements to know how much cloud storage you will need. This involves:

• Analyzing compatibility with Azure services
• Identifying dependencies on existing scripts and applications
• Determining capacity based on current data size

Next, you provision the Storage Sync Service in the Azure portal. This service acts as the control plane for your file synchronization. You create it by selecting a resource group and a location that matches your data residency needs. It’s important to set up the right network rules and access policies to keep your data secure during and after migration.

After provisioning, install and register the Azure File Sync agent on each on-premises server that hosts your DFS shares. The agent is a small application that connects your server to the Storage Sync Service. You download it from the Azure portal, run the installer, and then register the server by providing resource IDs and credentials. This step links your local server with the cloud service.

Then, configure sync groups and endpoints to start the actual synchronization process. A sync group defines which files are shared between the cloud and your servers. You add a cloud endpoint, which points to an Azure file share, and a server endpoint, which points to the local folder on your server. Once set up, Azure File Sync will automatically synchronize changes in both directions.

Finally, enable cloud tiering to optimize storage use and reduce costs. With cloud tiering, only frequently accessed files remain on your server, while older or less-used files get tiered to Azure. This means you can save local disk space without losing access to any data. If a file is needed again, Azure File Sync downloads it on demand.

Conclusion

Migrating your DFS namespaces to Azure File Sync starts with assessing your current environment for compatibility, dependencies, and capacity. You then provision the Storage Sync Service, install the sync agent on target servers, and set up sync groups with cloud and server endpoints. By enabling cloud tiering, you balance local storage needs with cloud efficiency, creating a scalable and cost-effective solution for managing file shares.