Azure File Sync
The Azure File Sync service enables centralizing your organization’s file shares in Azure Files, while keeping the flexibility, performance, and compatibility of a Windows file server.
In this lecture, you will learn about Azure File Sync, which serves to centralize an organization’s file shares within Azure Files while preserving the performance and compatibility of a traditional Windows file server. You will explore how organizations can choose to keep a full copy of their data locally, and how Azure File Sync enables a local Windows server to become a quick cache of Azure file shares.
The discussion includes an overview of protocols like SMB, NFS, and FTPS that can be used to access data locally through Windows Server. You will understand the concept of Cloud Tiering provided by Azure File Sync, where the most frequently accessed files are kept on the local server, and less frequently accessed files are tiered into the cloud. This process allows for a seamless user experience and reduces storage costs.
You will also discover how Azure File Sync supports distributed access, making it ideal for organizations with multiple offices. File changes in one location are synchronized across all servers in different locations. Furthermore, the lecture covers how Azure File Sync can be advantageous for cloud-based backups, utilizing Azure Backup to take centralized backups of your files in the cloud and managing the retention of those backups.
By the end of this lecture, you will grasp the benefits and applications of Azure File Sync, including its ability to enable Windows servers to function as local caches for Azure File shares and the various protocols available for accessing data locally. This knowledge is especially pertinent for preparing for an exam on the topic.