Master Azure's comprehensive storage solutions including Blob Storage, Files, Table, Queue, and Disk Storage. Learn about storage tiers, replication options, and choosing the right storage service for your needs.
After completing this session, you'll be ready for Quiz 15 and able to:
Azure Storage is like a massive digital warehouse with different sections for different types of data. Think of it as having specialized storage rooms - one for files and documents, one for databases, one for backups, and one for application messaging.
Object storage for unstructured data like images, videos, documents
Fully managed file shares accessible via SMB protocol
NoSQL key-value store for structured data
Message queue service for application communication
Managed disk storage for Azure Virtual Machines
Recommended for most scenarios, supports all services
Premium performance for block blobs and append blobs
Premium performance for file shares
Legacy account type (upgrade recommended)
No practical limit on container size
Maximum file size per file share
Maximum size for a single managed disk
Quiz Tip: Storage account can have up to 500 TB by default, but virtually unlimited with proper configuration!
Azure Blob Storage is like a massive digital locker system where you can store any type of file - photos, videos, documents, backups - and access them from anywhere in the world through REST APIs or web browsers.
Key Point: Block blobs are most commonly used for general file storage and support all access tiers!
Primary method for programmatic access
.NET, Java, Python, Node.js, Go
Command-line management and automation
Web-based management interface
Cross-platform desktop application
Basic monitoring and management
Quiz Tip: Blob Storage is best suited for unstructured data like images, videos, and documents!
Azure Files is like having a network drive that you can access from anywhere. It provides fully managed file shares that can be mounted on Windows, Linux, and macOS systems using the standard SMB protocol.
Key Difference: Azure Files provides SMB file shares, while Blob Storage provides object storage via REST APIs!
HDD-backed storage
Up to 300 MiB/s per share
General file sharing, backups, dev/test
SSD-backed storage
Up to 10 GiB/s per share
High-performance apps, databases, content repositories
Migrate file share applications to Azure
• Replace on-premises file servers
• Maintain SMB protocol compatibility
• Seamless application migration
Multiple VMs accessing same files
• Configuration files
• Shared application data
• Development environments
Extend on-premises with Azure File Sync
• Cloud tiering
• Centralized backup
• Multi-site access
Quiz Tip: Azure Files can be mounted as drives on Windows, Linux, and macOS using SMB protocol!
NoSQL key-value store for structured data
Message queue service for application communication
Web application sends order messages to queue
Messages stored reliably until processed
Background service processes orders from queue
Quiz Tip: Queue Storage is best for implementing message queuing between application components!
Azure Disk Storage provides persistent, high-performance disk storage for Azure Virtual Machines. Think of it as the hard drives for your VMs, but with the flexibility to choose the performance level you need.
Key Point: Ultra Disk provides the highest IOPS performance for mission-critical workloads!
| Feature | Managed Disks | Unmanaged Disks |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Management | Automatic | Manual storage account management |
| Scalability | Up to 50,000 disks per region | Limited by storage account (20,000 IOPS) |
| Availability Sets | Automatic fault domain alignment | Manual configuration required |
| Backup & Restore | Built-in snapshot support | Manual backup processes |
| Recommendation | ✅ Recommended for all new deployments | ❌ Legacy option |
Recommended: Standard HDD or Standard SSD
Recommended: Premium SSD or Ultra Disk
Quiz Tip: Premium SSD provides the highest IOPS among commonly used disk types, while Ultra Disk offers the absolute highest performance!
Azure Storage offers different access tiers to optimize cost based on how frequently you access your data. Think of it like organizing your closet - frequently used clothes up front, seasonal items in back, and old items in storage.
Storage Cost: Highest
Access Cost: Lowest
Use Case: Frequently accessed data
Examples: Active websites, applications
Storage Cost: Lower than Hot
Access Cost: Higher than Hot
Use Case: Infrequently accessed data
Examples: Short-term backup, disaster recovery
Storage Cost: Lowest
Access Cost: Highest
Use Case: Rarely accessed data
Examples: Long-term backup, compliance
Key Point: Archive tier has lowest storage cost but requires rehydration (1-15 hours) before access!
Can move data anytime without penalty
Minimum storage duration before moving
Minimum storage duration for cost efficiency
Quiz Tip: Moving data before minimum duration results in early deletion charges!
Automatically move blobs between access tiers based on rules you define
Define policies based on last access time
No manual intervention required
Minimize storage costs automatically
Example Policy: Move blobs to Cool tier after 30 days of no access, then to Archive after 90 days
Replicates data 3 times within a single data center
Replicates data across 3 availability zones
LRS in primary + LRS in paired region
GRS with read access to secondary region
Quiz Tip: GZRS provides the highest level of durability and availability across multiple regions!
AES-256 encryption enabled by default
HTTPS/TLS for all data transfers
Azure Key Vault integration
Time-limited access tokens
Azure AD role-based permissions
Virtual network service endpoints
Here are example questions similar to what you'll see in Quiz 15. Make sure you understand these Azure Storage concepts!
"What type of Azure storage is best suited for storing large amounts of unstructured data like images and videos?"
"Which Azure disk storage type provides the highest IOPS performance?"
"Which access tier has the lowest storage cost but highest access cost?"
"What is the maximum file size that can be stored in Azure Files?"
📝 Quiz 15 Topics: Blob Storage, Files, Disk Storage, Table Storage, Queue Storage, Access Tiers, Replication
Take Quiz 15 NowYou now understand all Azure Storage services and can choose the right storage solution for any scenario. You know when to use Blob Storage for unstructured data, Files for SMB shares, Disk Storage for VMs, and how to optimize costs with access tiers and replication options!
Excellent! You've mastered Azure Storage Services and understand how to store, manage, and optimize data in the cloud. Now test your knowledge with Quiz 15, which covers all the storage services, access tiers, and replication options from this session.