Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign data storage solutionsEasy
A small business needs to migrate a legacy line-of-business application to Azure. The application stores its data on a shared network drive using the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol and requires low-latency access to files. The business wants to avoid refactoring the application. Which Azure storage solution should be used to minimize changes to the application?
- AAzure Queue Storage
- BAzure Blob Storage
- CAzure Data Lake Storage Gen2
- DAzure Files
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Azure Files
Azure Files offers fully managed file shares in the cloud that are accessible via the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. This allows legacy applications that rely on shared network drives to be lifted and shifted to Azure with minimal or no code changes.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure Queue Storage is a message queuing service and is not suitable for storing application files.
- B. Azure Blob Storage is object storage and does not natively support SMB for file shares, requiring application refactoring.
- C. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 is designed for big data analytics and offers HDFS compatibility, not SMB for legacy applications.
Azure Files
A fully managed file share service in the cloud that can be accessed via the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol and Network File System (NFS) protocol.
- Enables 'lift and shift' of legacy applications requiring file shares.
- Supports both SMB and NFS.
- Can be mounted concurrently by cloud or on-premises deployments.
Memory trick: Azure Files for SMB, old apps can climb.