How Do I Store Large Files In Azure

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How to store large files in Azure will be the topic of today’s article along with some of the common questions that crop up when it comes to Microsoft Azure and large files.

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As a documentation service provider for technical support service organizations in the US, we have gained quite a bit of experience with various aspects of IT infrastructure, including implementing several local file repositories with the Azure directory service. 

Cloud-based user management can get complicated fast and you can find yourself in a world of pain if it is not diligently recorded by your technical staff. Jobs will take twice as long and the result will be half as good if you are lucky.

How To Store Large Files In Azure?

There are two ways to enable large files support in Azure and both of these will give 100 terabytes.

New Storage Account

  • During the creation of the new account.
  • Navigate to the advanced tab.
  • Next to the “Azure Files” there is “Large file shares”
  • Select “enabled” and continue on with account creation.

Existing Storage Account

  • Navigate to “Configuration”
  • Select “Enabled” under “Large files shares”
  • Select Apply

What Is The File Upload Size Limit For Azure Function?

4 gigabytes is the maximum file upload limit for Azure. It also should be noted that an Azure function has a time limit of 230 seconds.

How Do I Transfer Large Amounts Of Data To Azure?

The most practical way of transferring large amounts of data or information to Azure is still going to be shipping a hard disk or SSD to the relevant Azure data center.

This service can be offered by Microsoft both ways so regardless as to if you need to import data back to your local site or export it to the Azure data center.

There is an import/export tool that you need to run prior to sending or receiving the storage devices and the cost of this service is about US$80 and is available in most countries.

Both SATA2 and SATA3 are compatible devices when it comes to hard disk drives however only SATA3 is compatible for SSDs.

This means any disks that use USB or are in a USB enclosure even if they are SATA based HDD or SSDs, are incompatible.

What Is The Difference Between Azure Disk And Azure File Share?

Azure file share offers the user a far greater capacity than Azure disk even though it appears counterintuitive given the names. Azure file shares allow for file sizes up to 4 terabytes for a single file.

Disk storage is better used for virtual disks within virtual machines.

File share is also significantly faster than disk storage.

How Do I Share External Files In Azure?

I recommend using something like Sharepoint, OneDrive or Teams for external sharing of files, Microsoft Azure is not meant for sharing internal files publicly.

 

Azure active directory offers two primary storage options for bulk local file storage - OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online. 

Both options provide a cloud-based storage solution that allows businesses to access files from anywhere, at any time, and on any device.

OneDrive for Business

OneDrive for Business is a personal storage solution that allows users to store and share files in the cloud. It is ideal for individual users or small businesses that need a simple and straightforward storage solution. OneDrive for Business provides the following features and benefits:

Features and Benefits

  • Secure Storage: OneDrive for Business stores files securely in the cloud, ensuring that they are always backed up and accessible from anywhere.
  • Collaboration: Users can easily share files and folders with other users, making it easy to collaborate on projects and documents.
  • Version Control: OneDrive for Business automatically saves previous versions of files, making it easy to restore previous versions if needed.
  • Office Integration: OneDrive for Business integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office applications, making it easy to open, edit, and save documents directly to OneDrive for Business.

Despite its benefits, OneDrive for Business has certain limitations that businesses must be aware of:

Limitations

  • Limited Storage: OneDrive for Business provides each user with a limited amount of storage space, which may not be sufficient for businesses that need to store large amounts of data.
  • Limited Security: While OneDrive for Business is secure, it may not be suitable for businesses that require strict data security and compliance.
  • Limited Customization: OneDrive for Business provides limited customization options, making it difficult for businesses to tailor the solution to their specific needs.

SharePoint Online

SharePoint Online is a collaboration and document management solution that allows businesses to store, organize, and share files securely in the cloud. It is ideal for businesses that require more advanced features and customization options. SharePoint Online provides the following features and benefits:

Features and Benefits

  • Customization: SharePoint Online provides extensive customization options, making it easy for businesses to tailor the solution to their specific needs.
  • Advanced Document Management: SharePoint Online provides advanced document management features, such as version control, approval workflows, and document retention policies.
  • Collaboration: SharePoint Online provides robust collaboration features, such as team sites, discussion boards, and document co-authoring.
  • Enterprise-level Security: SharePoint Online provides enterprise-level security features, such as data loss prevention, multi-factor authentication, and encryption.

However, SharePoint Online also has certain limitations that businesses must be aware of:

Limitations

  • Complexity: SharePoint Online can be complex and challenging to set up and manage, requiring significant IT expertise and resources.
  • Cost: SharePoint Online can be more expensive than OneDrive for Business, making it less suitable for small businesses with limited budgets.
  • User Adoption: SharePoint Online may not be as user-friendly as OneDrive for Business, making it more challenging to get users to adopt and use the solution effectively.

Conclusion

These are the most common questions I see when attempting to use Microsoft Azure when it comes to how to store large files in Azure.

We have a number of backup articles below that will provide you with more detailed information on a number of related topics:

https://optimizeddocs.com/blogs/backups/backups-client-index

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Please feel free to explore our other articles and click on any that interest you. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how we can help you with your documentation.

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