Cloud File Shares with On-Premises Cache
About
This solution defined the Azure-based storage architecture for business files, encompassing Azure Blob Storage, SFTP endpoints, Azure Files, Azure Data Lake, and Azure File Sync.
A key component of the implementation was the replacement of legacy on-premises file servers with Azure Files integrated with Azure File Sync service. This approach provided centralized cloud storage with seamless access for distributed users via their existing Corporate DFS network drives.
To support workloads requiring low-latency access—such as AutoCAD and other design files—Azure File Sync was deployed to maintain an on-premises cache. This cache was hosted on a Windows Server Failover Cluster, ensuring high availability and resilience for local file access.
Key Components
- Azure Storage Account
- Azure Files
- Azure File Sync Service
- Distributed File Service (DFS)
- On-premise hosted Windows Server File Cluster
Business Requirement
Legacy on-premises file servers are reaching capacity and business storage requirements are growing.
To mitigate on-premises storage constraints, the corporate network file shares are to be migrated to cloud storage whilst leveraging the existing Corporate Distributed File Service (DFS) to provide a seemless cut-over for business users. The cloud storage must support low-latency file access.
CLOUD PARTNERS TECHNOLOGY