AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Analyze Sync Health and Performance Metrics

Monitoring Azure File Sync health and performance metrics is essential for maintaining a reliable hybrid file server environment. Sync health reports and performance counters in Azure Monitor give insights into the status of your file sync operations. By understanding these metrics, you can detect sync latency or throughput issues early. Proactive monitoring helps ensure data consistency between on-premises servers and the cloud.

To view performance metrics, go to the Storage Sync Service in the Azure portal and select Metrics. Metrics are automatically collected every 15 minutes and include sync activity, persistent sync errors, and cloud tiering savings. You can choose different metrics from the dropdown menu to visualize upload and download operations. This granular view helps you spot unusual patterns or spikes in activity.

Setting up alerts in Azure Monitor ensures you receive notifications when specific conditions occur. In the portal, navigate to Alerts under your Storage Sync Service and click + New alert rule. Choose the metric you want to monitor, define the alert logic, and select dimensions like server name for targeted alerts. Finally, assign an action group to notify stakeholders via email, SMS, or webhook.

Key metrics to track include:

• Registered Server Health: Checks if the server is online and communicating.
• Server Endpoint Health: Monitors errors, sync activity, and tiering status.
• Sync Latency: Measures delay between changes on-premises and cloud reflection.
• Throughput: Shows data transfer rates during sync operations.

When sync issues arise, use Windows Server Event Logs and performance counters to gather more details. PowerShell cmdlets like Invoke-AzStorageSyncChangeDetection can trigger manual change detection jobs. This hands-on approach helps resolve stuck syncs or missing changes. Regularly reviewing both portal metrics and server-side logs ensures prompt remediation.

Conclusion

Effective monitoring of Azure File Sync involves collecting sync health and performance data through Azure Monitor, setting up proactive alerts, and tracking key metrics like server health and throughput. By combining portal insights with server-side logs and PowerShell tools, you can quickly diagnose and fix sync anomalies. This comprehensive strategy ensures data integrity, reduces downtime, and maintains optimal performance in hybrid file server environments.