Azure Files is a cloud service that provides fully managed file shares using the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) and Network File System (NFS) protocols.
The service allows organizations to remove file share infrastructure from on-premises data centers, without disrupting the user experience. Users can access Azure Files via Windows, Linux, and macOS, using the same familiar mounting, mapping, and navigation.
If local performance speeds are required, Azure File Sync provides multi-tier storage, where often-used files are cached within on-premises SMB file share servers while archived, rarely used files stay in the cloud.
“We were very happy that Azure Files was a cloud native service that makes traditional SMB resources that our users liked available, without losing permissions or security.”
Brian Buddmeyer VP of IT, Spang & Co.
Azure Files provides an important step for organizations moving towards an all-cloud IT footprint. See how it helps progress toward that path in this short video.
Lower costs than global file sharing and WAN optimization services
Simpler backups, maintenance, and administration of a physical server, device, or appliance
No loss in permissions or security
No change in user experience
Organizations such as Spang & Company have leveraged Azure Files to simplify its on-premises footprint and administrative overhead. After Spang finished moving Exchange, SharePoint, etc. to Office 365, they next looked to optimize file sharing for their global engineering team. The results are outlined by VP of IT Brian Buddemeyer in this video case study.
Some of the decisions and configurations involved include:
February 02, 2021
July 07, 2020
January 01, 2020
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Enabling can provide consulting guidance to help guide you through the decisions and steps to making your Azure Files migration a success.