For example:Ī common pattern for distributed applications is to have configuration files in a centralized location where they can be accessed from many application instances. Azure Files enables both the 'classic' lift and shift scenario, where both the application and its data are moved to Azure, and the 'hybrid' lift and shift scenario, where the application data is moved to Azure Files, and the application continues to run on-premises.Īzure Files can also be used to simplify new cloud development projects. With Azure Files AD Authentication, SMB Azure file shares can work with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) hosted on-premises for access control.Īzure Files makes it easy to 'lift and shift' applications to the cloud that expect a file share to store file application or user data. SMB Azure file shares can also be replicated with Azure File Sync to Windows servers, either on-premises or in the cloud, for performance and distributed caching of the data.

Popular operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux can directly mount Azure file shares wherever they are in the world. Replace or supplement on-premises file servers:Īzure Files can be used to replace or supplement traditional on-premises file servers or network-attached storage (NAS) devices. To get started using Azure Files, see Quickstart: Create and use an Azure file share.

Getting started with FSLogix profile containers on Azure Files in Azure Virtual Desktop leveraging AD authentication.

Replace your file server with a serverless Azure file share.

Here are some videos on common use cases for Azure Files: Additionally, SMB Azure file shares can be cached on Windows servers with Azure File Sync for fast access near where the data is being used. NFS Azure file shares are accessible from Linux clients. SMB Azure file shares are accessible from Windows, Linux, and macOS clients. Azure file shares can be mounted concurrently by cloud or on-premises deployments.

Azure Files offers fully managed file shares in the cloud that are accessible via the industry standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, Network File System (NFS) protocol, and Azure Files REST API.

Azure cloud storage