AZ-104 Exam EP 33: Managing Azure Storage

Introduction

This tutorial guides you through managing Azure Storage, covering essential tools and services to help you effectively handle data within Microsoft Azure. Whether you're preparing for the AZ-104 exam or looking to enhance your cloud administration skills, this step-by-step guide will provide valuable insights and practical tips.

Step 1: Understanding Azure Storage

• Familiarize yourself with Azure Storage and its primary services, which include:
  • Blob Storage for unstructured data
  • File Storage for file shares
  • Queue Storage for messaging
  • Table Storage for structured NoSQL data
• Understand the scenarios and use cases for each type of storage, such as backups, media storage, and application data.

Step 2: Using Azure Storage Explorer

• Download and install Azure Storage Explorer from the official Microsoft website.
• Connect to your Azure account:
  • Open Azure Storage Explorer.
  • Click on "Add Account" and sign in with your Azure credentials.
• Navigate through your storage resources effortlessly:
  • Use the left pane to browse different storage accounts.
  • Right-click on any resource to manage it (e.g., upload, download, delete).

Step 3: Import and Export Service

• Learn how to use Azure’s Import and Export Service to transfer large amounts of data:
  • Prepare your data by ensuring it’s on a supported storage device.
  • Create a new import/export job in the Azure portal.
  • Follow the prompts to configure the job settings and submit it for processing.
• Keep in mind that this service is ideal for moving large datasets efficiently.

Step 4: Utilizing Data Box

• Understand the purpose of Azure Data Box for offline data transfer:
  • Data Box is a physical device provided by Azure for securely transferring large amounts of data.
• Steps to use Data Box:
  • Order a Data Box through the Azure portal.
  • Load your data onto the device as per the instructions.
  • Ship it back to Azure for the data to be uploaded into your storage account.

Step 5: Working with AzCopy

• AzCopy is a command-line utility designed for high-performance data transfer:
  • Download and install AzCopy from the Azure website.
  • Use the command line to copy data to and from Azure Storage.
• Basic command structure:

  azcopy copy [source] [destination] --recursive=true
  

• Example command:

  azcopy copy "C:\localpath" "https://yourstorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/containername" --recursive=true
  

Step 6: Selecting the Right Data Transfer Tool

• Evaluate different data transfer tools based on your needs:
  • For small data transfers, Azure Storage Explorer may be sufficient.
  • For larger datasets, consider AzCopy or Data Box.
• Assess factors such as data size, transfer speed, and security requirements when making a choice.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we've covered essential tools and methods for managing Azure Storage effectively, including Azure Storage Explorer, Import and Export Service, Data Box, and AzCopy. By understanding these tools and their applications, you can streamline your data management processes in Azure. As you advance, explore more about each tool and stay updated with Azure's latest features to optimize your cloud management skills.