Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign infrastructure solutionsMedium
A large enterprise is migrating a critical, high-performance SAP ERP system from on-premises to Azure. The SAP application servers require shared file storage that supports the NFS protocol, must be highly available, and provide consistent, low-latency access for SAP's cluster-aware file system. Which Azure storage solution should be used for the SAP shared file system?
- AAzure NetApp Files
- BAzure Disk Storage
- CAzure Files Premium with NFS
- DAzure Blob Storage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Azure NetApp Files
Azure NetApp Files is the recommended and often required storage solution for high-performance SAP workloads on Azure, especially for the shared file system (e.g., /sapmnt, /usr/sap/trans) that demands very low latency and high throughput NFSv4.1. It provides the enterprise-grade performance and availability necessary for SAP.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Azure Disk Storage provides block storage for individual virtual machines and cannot be used as a shared file system across multiple SAP application servers.
- C. While Azure Files Premium supports NFS, Azure NetApp Files offers superior performance and features specifically tailored for demanding enterprise workloads like SAP, making it the preferred choice for critical SAP shared file systems.
- D. Azure Blob Storage is object storage and does not provide the NFS file system interface required by SAP applications for shared directories.
Azure NetApp Files for SAP
A high-performance, low-latency file storage service specifically optimized and certified for SAP HANA and NetWeaver deployments on Azure.
- Supports NFSv3 and NFSv4.1 protocols.
- Provides consistent high throughput and low latency.
- Essential for SAP shared file systems like /sapmnt.
Memory trick: For SAP, NetApp Files is the 'key' to 'fast' shared storage.