Deploy and Configure Azure File Sync

This tutorial guides you through the process of deploying and configuring Azure File Sync to synchronize your on-premises file shares with Azure Files.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

  • An Azure subscription.
  • An existing on-premises Windows Server.
  • An Azure Storage account with a File Share.

Step 1: Install the Azure File Sync Agent

Download the agent

Download the latest Azure File Sync agent from the Microsoft Download Center.

Download Agent

Run the installer

Execute the downloaded installer on your Windows Server. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Register the server

During installation, you will be prompted to register your server with Azure File Sync. You'll need your Azure subscription ID and credentials.

Use the following PowerShell command to register your server:

Register-AzStorageSyncServer -ResourceGroupName "YourResourceGroup" -StorageSyncServiceName "YourStorageSyncService"

Step 2: Create a Sync Group

Navigate to Azure File Sync

In the Azure portal, go to your Azure File Sync service resource.

Create a new Sync Group

Click on "Sync groups" and then "Add sync group".

Configure the sync group

Provide a name for your sync group, select your Azure File Share, and click "Create".

Step 3: Add Server Endpoint

Select your sync group

In your sync group, click "Add server endpoint".

Configure the server endpoint

Select the registered server you installed the agent on, and specify the local path on your server that you want to synchronize.

Tip: Ensure the local path contains the data you intend to sync.

Create the endpoint

Click "Create" to add the server endpoint. Synchronization will begin automatically.

Verification

After a few moments, check your Azure File Share and your on-premises server's local path. You should see the files starting to synchronize. You can also monitor the sync status within the Azure portal under your sync group.

Note: Initial synchronization can take a significant amount of time depending on the volume of data and network bandwidth.

Next Steps

Explore the following resources for more advanced configurations and troubleshooting: