What is Azure File Sync?
Azure File Sync extends on-premises Windows Servers to Azure Files, allowing you to centralize file shares in the cloud while keeping the performance and compatibility of local file servers.
- Multi-site synchronization
- Tiered storage – hot data stays local, cold data moves to Azure
- Disaster recovery and backup integration
- Seamless integration with existing applications
Key Benefits
- Scalability: Store unlimited data in Azure without worrying about on‑prem hardware constraints.
- Performance: Frequently accessed files remain on‑prem, delivering low‑latency access.
- Cost Optimization: Only pay for the storage you actually use in Azure.
- Simplicity: Central management through the Azure portal and PowerShell.
How It Works
The Azure File Sync agent installed on Windows Server communicates with the Azure Storage account and syncs file changes in near real‑time.
Server (File Sync Agent) ⇄ Azure Storage Account ⇄ Cloud Endpoint ⇄ Other ServersData flows both ways: changes on the server are uploaded to Azure, and changes in Azure are synchronized back to all registered servers.
Getting Started
To begin using Azure File Sync, follow these steps:
- Create an Azure Storage account (if you don’t already have one).
- Set up a File Sync service in the Azure portal.
- Install the Azure File Sync agent on your Windows Server.
- Register the server with the sync service and create a cloud endpoint.