Azure Storage File Share Management

This document provides a comprehensive guide to managing Azure File Shares, including creating, configuring, and accessing them. Azure Files offers fully managed file shares in the cloud that are accessible via the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol or Network File System (NFS) protocol.

Key Concepts

  • Storage Account: A foundational Azure resource required to host file shares.
  • File Share: A scalable cloud file share that can be mounted by multiple clients simultaneously.
  • Networking: Options for securing access to file shares, including public endpoints, private endpoints, and service endpoints.
  • Access Tiers: Different performance and cost options for file shares (e.g., Transaction Optimized, Hot, Cool).
  • RBAC and Access Keys: Methods for authentication and authorization.

Creating a File Share

You can create an Azure File Share using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, PowerShell, or REST API. Here's a conceptual outline:

  1. Create or select an existing Azure Storage Account.
  2. Navigate to the Storage Account resource.
  3. Under "Data storage", select "File shares".
  4. Click "+ File share" and provide a name, quota, and access tier.

Using Azure CLI

Here's an example of creating a file share using the Azure CLI:

az storage share create --name mystoragefile --account-name mystorageaccount --quota 1024 --output table

Mounting a File Share

Mounting file shares allows you to access them as if they were local drives or network locations. The process differs slightly based on your operating system.

Windows

You can mount an Azure File Share using SMB. Use the storage account name and one of the access keys.

net use Z: \\mystorageaccount.file.core.windows.net\mystoragefile /u:Azure\mystorageaccount

Linux

Use the `mount` command with SMB protocol.

sudo mount -t cifs //mystorageaccount.file.core.windows.net/mystoragefile /mnt/myshare -o vers=3.0,username=mystorageaccount,password=,dir_mode=0777,file_mode=0777,serverino

Security Best Practices

  • Use Private Endpoints: For enhanced security, deploy your file shares within a virtual network using private endpoints.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Grant granular permissions to users and applications.
  • Disable Anonymous Access: Ensure public access is disabled unless explicitly required and secured.
  • Rotate Access Keys: Regularly rotate storage account access keys for security.

API Reference Highlights

File Share Operations

Create Share

Creates a new file share within the specified storage account.

POST https://myaccount.file.core.windows.net/fileshares?restype=account&comp=share

List Shares

Lists all file shares for the specified storage account.

GET https://myaccount.file.core.windows.net/fileshares?restype=account

Delete Share

Deletes the specified file share.

DELETE https://myaccount.file.core.windows.net/fileshares/myshare?restype=share

Next Steps

Explore advanced features such as snapshotting, replication, and integration with other Azure services like Azure Files AD DS integration.