How do I Access Blob Storage? A Step-by-Step Guide

How do I Access Blob Storage? A Step-by-Step Guide

by | Feb 28, 2023 | Azure, Azure Blobs, Blob Storage, How To

Blob Storage is a highly scalable and secure cloud storage solution offered by Microsoft Azure. It allows users to store unstructured data like text, images, videos, and audio files. Accessing Blob Storage is crucial for developers, IT professionals, and business owners who want to manage their data and applications in the cloud. In this article, we will discuss how to access Blob Storage using different methods and tools.

Azure Blob Storage Use Cases

Use Case Description
Backup and Archive
 Blob storage can be used as a low-cost, durable backup and archive solution for data that is infrequently accessed.
Media Storage and Streaming
 Blob storage can be used to store and serve media files such as images, videos, and audio. Blob storage also supports streaming of large media files.
Web Content Storage
 Blob storage can be used to store and serve web content such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.
Big Data Analytics
 Blob storage can be used to store large amounts of data for big data analytics. Blob storage integrates with many big data services, such as Azure HDInsight and Azure Databricks.
IoT Data Storage
 Blob storage can be used to store data from IoT devices such as sensors, cameras, and smart meters.
Disaster Recovery
 Blob storage can be used as a disaster recovery solution for critical data.
Machine Learning
 Blob storage can be used to store and manage large datasets used for machine learning, and can integrate with Azure Machine Learning services.
Distributed File System
 Blob storage can be used as a distributed file system for applications running in Azure, such as Hadoop and Spark.

These are just a few examples of the many use cases for accessing Blob storage.

Accessing Blob Storage using Azure Portal

If you are new to Azure and Blob Storage, the easiest way to access Blob Storage is by using the Azure Portal. Follow these steps:

Log in to the Azure Portal

To access the Azure Portal, log in to your Azure account using your credentials.

Navigate to the Blob Storage Account

Once you are logged in, navigate to the Blob Storage account you want to access.

Access the Blob Container

Select the Blob container you want to access from the list of available containers.

Accessing Blob Storage using Azure Storage Explorer

Azure Storage Explorer is a free, cross-platform tool that allows you to manage your Azure Storage accounts. Follow these steps to access Blob Storage using Azure Storage Explorer:

Download and Install Azure Storage Explorer

Download and install Azure Storage Explorer on your computer.

Log in to Azure Storage Explorer

Log in to Azure Storage Explorer using your Azure account credentials.

Connect to Blob Storage

Once you are logged in, connect to your Blob Storage account using the connection string or the account name and key.

Access the Blob Container

Select the Blob container you want to access from the list of available containers.

Access the Blob Files

Once you have selected the Blob container, you can access the Blob files by clicking on the file name.

Accessing Blob Storage using Azure Blob Storage REST API

The Azure Blob Storage REST API allows developers to programmatically access Blob Storage using HTTP/HTTPS requests. Follow these steps to access Blob Storage using the REST API:

Get the Account Name and Account Key

To access Blob Storage using the REST API, you need to get the Account Name and Account Key from your Azure Portal.

Construct the Request URL

Construct the request URL by combining the Account Name, Container Name, and Blob Name.

Authenticate the Request

Authenticate the request by including the Account Key in the request header.

Send the Request

Send the HTTP/HTTPS request using the appropriate method (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE).

Accessing Azure Blob Storage FAQs

Question Answer
How do I access Azure Blob storage?
 You can access Azure Blob Storage through the Azure Portal, Azure Storage Explorer, and the Azure Blob Storage REST API.
How do I access Azure Blob storage via URL?
 To access Azure Blob Storage via URL, you need to create a shared access signature (SAS) and use it to access the Blob Storage URL.
How do I access Azure Blob storage using the access key?
 To access Azure Blob Storage using the access key, you need to create a storage account and obtain the account access key. You can then use the key to authenticate your access to Blob Storage.
How do I check my BLOB data?
 You can check your BLOB data by accessing it through the Azure Portal, Azure Storage Explorer, or the Azure Blob Storage REST API.
How do I access Azure Blob storage from SQL Server?
 You can access Azure Blob Storage from SQL Server by using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) or by using the OPENROWSET function.
How do I access Azure Blob storage from a VM?
 You can access Azure Blob Storage from a VM by using the Azure Blob Storage REST API, Azure PowerShell, or Azure CLI.
How do I access private Blob container in Azure?
 You can access private Blob Container in Azure by using the Shared Access Signature (SAS) and setting the permission of the container to private.
How do I access Azure Blob storage with managed identity?
 You can access Azure Blob Storage with a managed identity by assigning the identity to the Azure VM or Azure Function and then using the identity to authenticate your access to Blob Storage.
What is the difference between Azure Blob and Azure VM?
 Azure Blob Storage is a cloud-based storage solution that is used to store unstructured data, while Azure VM is a virtual machine that runs on the Azure platform.
How do I map Azure Blob storage?
 You can map Azure Blob Storage to your local machine using the Azure Storage Explorer.
How do I access Azure Blob storage with PowerShell?
 You can access Azure Blob Storage with PowerShell by installing the Azure PowerShell module and using the cmdlets provided by the module.
How does Azure Blob storage work?
 Azure Blob Storage works by storing unstructured data as blobs in a storage account. The blobs can be accessed through the Azure Portal, Azure Storage Explorer, or the Azure Blob Storage REST API.
What is the difference between Azure storage and Blob storage?
 Azure storage is a general term used to describe different storage solutions provided by Azure, including Blob, File, Queue, and Table storage. Azure Blob Storage, on the other hand, is a specific type of Azure storage used to store unstructured data.
What is the difference between Blob and object storage?
 Blob storage is a type of object storage used to store unstructured data, while object storage is a more general term used to describe different types of storage solutions that store data as objects, including S3 and Azure Blob Storage.
Is Azure Blob storage a data lake?
 Azure Blob Storage can be used to store data in a data lake architecture, but it is not a data lake solution on its own.
What does Azure Blob stand for?
 Azure Blob stands for Azure Binary Large Object.

In conclusion, Cloud Storage Manager is a powerful tool that can help you track and manage your Azure Blob and Azure File storage consumption. With its unique features, you can easily visualize your Azure storage locations, view your Azure storage growth over time, browse through your Azure storage tree, and gain insights into your Azure Blob storage usage and consumption through its reporting feature.

You can search your Azure storage accounts across your complete Azure Tenancy, scan and report on your Azure Files usage, change the tiering of multiple Azure Blobs, delete the blob, as well as gather the Azure Blobs properties all with just a right-click. With Cloud Storage Manager, you can take back control of your Azure storage and reduce your costs, which often occur due to data residing in your Storage Accounts, and that continuously costs you money.

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SCCM Software Center Cannot Be Loaded?

SCCM Software Center Cannot Be Loaded?

by | Feb 25, 2023 | How To, SCCM

SCCM Software Center Cannot Be Loaded:

Introduction to SCCM Software Center

System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a popular tool used by IT administrators to manage and deploy software, updates, and operating systems across a network. SCCM Software Center is the user interface that allows end users to interact with the tool and install applications, updates, or operating systems. However, sometimes users may encounter issues where the SCCM Software Center cannot be loaded. This article will help you understand the reasons behind this problem and offer solutions to fix it.

Common Reasons for SCCM Loading Issues

There are several reasons why the SCCM Software Center might not load properly. Here, we will discuss the most common ones:

SCCM Configuration Issues

Misconfiguration of the SCCM environment, such as incorrect boundaries, boundary groups, or client settings, can prevent the Software Center from loading. Additionally, issues with the SCCM server or site server components may also cause the problem.

Network Connectivity Problems

Network connectivity issues, including problems with DNS resolution, firewalls, or proxy servers, can prevent the SCCM Software Center from communicating with the necessary servers and services, resulting in a failure to load.

Client Installation Errors

If the SCCM client is not installed properly or is corrupted, the Software Center may not load correctly or at all. This can occur due to incomplete installations, software conflicts, or malware.

How to Troubleshoot SCCM Loading Issues

To resolve issues with the SCCM Software Center not loading, follow these steps:

Checking SCCM Configuration

Ensure that the SCCM environment is correctly configured, with appropriate boundaries, boundary groups, and client settings. Verify that the SCCM server and site server components are functioning correctly.

Verifying Network Connectivity

Check for network connectivity issues by testing DNS resolution, reviewing firewall settings, and ensuring that proxy servers are configured correctly. Make sure that the client device can communicate with the SCCM servers and services.

Reinstalling the SCCM Client

If the SCCM client is corrupt or improperly installed, uninstall the client and reinstall it using the latest version. Make sure to follow the proper installation guidelines and ensure that there are no software conflicts or malware present on the system.

Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

If the basic troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the issue, you can try the following advanced techniques:

Reviewing SCCM Logs

SCCM maintains logs that can provide insights into the root causes of issues. Review the relevant logs, such as AppDiscovery.log, AppEnforce.log, or ClientIDManagerStartup.log, to identify any errors or issues that may be causing the Software Center to fail to load.

Repairing SCCM Client Components

In some cases, SCCM client components may become corrupt or damaged, causing the Software Center to malfunction. You can repair these components by running the Configuration Manager client repair process or by using the “ccmrepair.exe” command.

Resetting the SCCM Client Policy

Sometimes, issues with the client policy can cause the Software Center not to load. Resetting the client policy can help resolve this issue. To reset the policy, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Configuration Manager Properties window on the client device.
  2. Navigate to the “Actions” tab.
  3. Select “Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle” and click “Run Now.”


SnaPatch Patch Management Patching Screen

Solutions to Fix SCCM Software Center Cannot Be Loaded Error:

Now that you know the possible causes of the error, let’s discuss the solutions to fix the “Software Center Cannot Be Loaded” error in SCCM.

Solution 1: Restart the SCCM Client Service

Sometimes, restarting the SCCM client service can resolve the software center’s loading issues. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R.
  2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
  3. Locate the “SMS Agent Host” service and right-click on it.
  4. Select “Restart” from the context menu.
  5. Wait for the service to restart, then check if the software center is loading correctly.

Solution 2: Reinstall the SCCM Client

Reinstalling the SCCM client can resolve configuration issues or corrupted files that are preventing the software center from loading. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the SCCM console.
  2. Go to “Assets and Compliance” > “Devices.”
  3. Locate the device with the “Software Center Cannot Be Loaded” error.
  4. Right-click on the device and select “Client Notification” > “Download Computer Policy.”
  5. Wait for the policy to download and install on the device.
  6. If the issue persists, right-click on the device again and select “Client Notification” > “Download Package.”
  7. Select the SCCM client package and click on “Download.”
  8. Wait for the package to download and install on the device.
  9. After the installation is complete, check if the software center is loading correctly.

Solution 3: Check Firewall and Network Settings

SCCM requires specific ports to be open for communication with the server. Check if your firewall or network settings are blocking these ports. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to “Windows Firewall.”
  2. Click on “Advanced settings.”
  3. Check if the following ports are open for inbound and outbound traffic:
  • TCP port 135
  • TCP port 445
  • TCP port 80
  • TCP port 443
  1. If any of these ports are blocked, add them to the exception list.
  2. After making the changes, restart the SCCM client service a loading correctly.

Solution 4: Check SCCM Permissions

Check if the user account you are using to access the software center has sufficient permissions. Here’s how to do it:

    1. Open the SCCM console and go to “Administration” > “Security” > “Administrative Users.”
    2. Check if the user account you are using has been added to the “Administrative Users” group.
    3. If not, add the user account to the group and restart the SCCM client service.
    4. Check if the software center is loading correctly.

If none of the above solutions work, consider reinstalling SCCM. Before doing so, ensure that you have taken a backup of SCCM database, configuration files, and any other relevant data. Here’s how to do it:

    1. Uninstall SCCM from the server.
    2. Reinstall SCCM using the installation media.
    3. Restore the backup of SCCM database, configuration files, and other data.
    4. After the installation is complete, check if the software center is loading correctly.
Issue Solution
SCCM client service is not running
 Restart the SCCM client service
Network connectivity issues
 Check network settings and connectivity
Corrupted files related to software center
 Clear the cache and reset the software center
User account does not have sufficient permissions
 Add user account to the “Administrative Users” group
SCCM client software is corrupted
 Reinstall SCCM after taking a backup of relevant data

The “Software Center Cannot Be Loaded” error in SCCM can be frustrating for users and can cause productivity loss. However, with the troubleshooting steps provided in this article, you can resolve the issue and access the software center again. Remember to check the SCCM client service, permissions, network settings, and files related to the software center. If all else fails, consider reinstalling SCCM after taking a backup of all relevant data.

How do you connect an Azure Storage Account to Active Directory?

How do you connect an Azure Storage Account to Active Directory?

by | Jan 18, 2023 | Azure Blobs, Blob Storage, Cloud Computing, How To, Storage Accounts

Azure Storage Authentication Options

Azure Storage Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a client that is requesting access to an Azure storage account. Azure Storage supports several authentication options that can be used to secure access to storage accounts, such as:

  1. Shared Key Authentication: This method of authentication uses a shared key that is known to both the client and the storage account to sign request headers.
  2. Shared Access Signature (SAS) Authentication: This method of authentication uses a shared access signature (SAS) token to provide restricted access to a storage account. A SAS token can be generated for a specific resource or set of resources within a storage account and can be used to grant read, write, or delete access to that resource.
  3. Azure Active Directory (AAD) Authentication: This method of authentication allows you to secure access to a storage account using Azure AD. By connecting a storage account to Azure AD, you can use Azure AD authentication to grant access to specific users or applications that are already authenticated with Azure AD.
  4. OAuth Authentication: This method of authentication allows you to authenticate with Azure Storage using an OAuth 2.0 Bearer Token. The token is passed in the Authorization header and is verified by Azure Storage.
  5. Token-based Authentication: This method of authentication is an advanced authentication method and includes authentication with SAS, OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens and JSON Web Tokens (JWT)

Choosing the best authentication option depends on your requirements such as security, ease of use and ease of integration with existing systems or platforms. For example, for testing or development purposes, Shared Key authentication can be sufficient and easier to implement, but for production environments that requires high level of security or integration with enterprise environments you may prefer to use Azure AD or OAuth.

How to connect your Azure Storage Accounts to your On-Premise Active Directory

Connecting a storage account to an on-premises Active Directory (AD) allows you to secure access to the storage account using on-premises AD authentication. This can be useful in scenarios where you want to provide access to the storage account to a specific group of users or applications that are already authenticated with your on-premises AD.

Here’s an overview of the process for connecting a storage account to an on-premises AD:

  1. Create a Domain Name System (DNS) alias: To connect to the on-premises AD, you will need to create a DNS alias that points to the on-premises AD. This can be done by creating a CNAME record in your DNS server.
  2. Configure the storage account to use AD authentication: In the Azure portal, go to the storage account settings and enable AD authentication for the storage account. You will need to provide the DNS alias that you created earlier and specify the domain name of your on-premises AD.
  3. Create a group in the on-premises AD: To grant access to the storage account, you will need to create a group in your on-premises AD. This group will be used to manage access to the storage account.
  4. Assign the storage Blob Data Contributor role to the group: To grant access to the storage account, you will need to assign the storage Blob Data Contributor role to the group. This role allows the members of the group to manage blobs in the storage account
  5. Add users or computer to the group: To grant access to storage account you should add users or computer to the group you created in step 3

It’s worth to mention that this process requires that you have your own domain controller and DNS server, and that your azure storage account and your on-premise network should be connected through a VPN or ExpressRoute.

Also, it would require an ADFS or other third party solution to facilitate the integration and trust relationship between on-premises AD and Azure AD.

 
How to change the Tiering of Azure Blobs

How to change the Tiering of Azure Blobs

by | Oct 11, 2022 | Azure, Azure Blobs, Features, How To, Storage Accounts

If you are an Azure Cloud Storage user, you will know that Azure offers three different storage tiers for storing data: hot, cool, and archive tiers. These Azure Storage tiers offer different levels of performance and cost efficiency. In this post, we’ll show you how to move blob content between these storage tiers, whether it is an individual Azure Blob, multiple Azure Blobs, or all the Azure Blobs in your Storage Accounts, using Cloud Storage Manager.

Why Change Azure Blob Tiering?

There are cost benefits to moving your Azure Blobs down to a lower Storage Tier. Hot is the most expensive, with cool a little bit cheaper, and the Archive Blob Tier having the lowest cost option. For more Azure Storage Cost-saving ideas, we cover some great cost-saving initiatives in another blog, or perhaps you want to see just how much Azure Storage you are consuming across your complete Microsoft Tenancy in this blog. These are just some of the functions you can perform with Cloud Storage Manager.

 

Cloud Storage Manager is a powerful tool for managing your Azure Cloud Storage. In this blog post, I will show you how easy it is to move a single Azure Blob or even select multiple or the complete container and move those blobs from any storage tiering to another with just a few clicks.

Easily change single, multiple or all your Blobs to any selected Azure Storage Tier

In this blog post, I will show you how easy it is to move a single Azure Blob or even select multiple or the complete container and move those blobs from any storage tiering to another with just a few clicks. 

There are cost benefits moving your Azure Blobs down to a lower Storage Tier, Hot being the most expensive, with a cool a little bit cheaper, and the Archive Blob Tier having the lowest cost option. For more Azure Storage Cost saving ideas, we cover some great cost saving initiatives in another blog, or perhaps you wont to see just how much Azure Storage you are consuming across your complete Microsoft Tenancy in this blog. These are just some of the functions you can perform with Cloud Storage Manager.

Now perhaps you want to setup Azure Storage Lifecycle Management Policy, which will automatically move Azure Blobs to the Azure Storage Tier when certain conditions have been met. Well in one of our previous blog posts shows you exactly how to do this.

This blog post however, is if you would like to manually move a single or bulk amount of Azure Blobs to a different storage tier. 

Launch Cloud Storage Manager

Hopefully you have installed Cloud Storage Manager and have completed a full scan of your Azure Storage Accounts.

If you havent installed it yet, or want to download a Demo and try it for yourself, you can get a trial by visiting this page. 

So moving on, Ill assume have the above completed. First Open Cloud Storage Manager and navigate by the Azure Storage Tree and locate the Storage Account you want to change the Blob Storage Tiering for. 


Choose Azure Storage Account

Select the Blob View

Select the Azure Storage Container you want to change the Blob Tiering for, then select the Blob View Window.

Here you will see information about all the Azure Blobs in that Storage container. 

You will notice the Tiering of each of the Blobs, with a Fire Symbol showing they are in the Hot Storage Tier, an Icycle Symbol showing they reside in the Cool Storage Tier, or lastly a Tape Icon detailing the Azure Blobs are in the Azure Archive Storage Tier.


Azure Blob Storage Tiering

Select the Blobs you want to change Storage Tiering for.

Now from this view you can see all the Azure Blobs in that Storage Container. 

See details like the Blob Name, which Subscription, Storage Account and Container the Blob resides in, also the size, Tiering (of course thats why we are here), when the Blob was created and last modified. 

Simply select the Azure Blobs you want to change the Tiering of, using control and a left click of the mouse to select multiple individual Blobs, or press Control and A to select them all.


Select Blobs to change tier

Select individual or multiple Azure Blobs.

Now right click a Blob and you will be shown the Cloud Storage Manager right click menu. 

You can perform the folliwing functions to selected Azure Blobs from this menu; 

  • Change the Tier of the selected Azure Blobs
  • Delete the Selected Azure Blobs
  • Show or Hide the Parent Columns
  • Jump back to the Storage Account Window
  • Jump back to the Container Window
  • See the Blob Properties
  • Copy the Values displayed of the Blobs
  • Download the selected Blobs to your own Computer
  • Refresh the view you are currently looking at.

Now, since we are wanting to change the tiering of the selected Azure Blobs, I am going to left click on Change Tier


Change individual and multiple Blob Tier

Select individual or multiple Azure Blobs.

This is where we now select which tier you want the selected Azure Blobs changed to. 

In this example, Ill move those Blobs to the Archive Storage Tier.

Select Archive Tier and then click on OK.


Change Azure Blob Access Tier

Azure Blob Tiering Change

Cloud Storage Manager has now initiated a tiering change job for all the Azure Blobs I have selected. 

Cloud Storage Manager will now change the storage tiering type for each of these Azure Blobs selected.


Azure Blob Tier Updates

Check the status of the Blob Tiering Change

You can see the status of Azure Blob Tiering change by viewing the Activity Log within Cloud Storage Manager.

Each of those Blobs selected are now being moved to the Azure Blob Storage Archive Tier.


Cloud Storage Manager Activity Log

View the change in Tiering of your Azure Blobs

Now go back to the Blob view of the Storage Container we orginally selected. 

You can see here that those Azure Blobs I selected have now changed to the Archive Tier.

And thats all there is to it, we changed selected Azure Blobs storage tiers from the Hot Tier to the Archive Tier with just a few clicks. 

If you want to trial Cloud Storage Manager for yourself, simply visit the Cloud Storage Manager product page and download a trial for yourself.

Not only can Cloud Storage Manager change the tiering of bulk amounts of Azure Blobs with a few clicks, you can also see which Storage Accounts are not being used, and gain further insights in to your Azure Storage Consumption. 


Azure Blob Storage Tiering FAQs

Question Answer
What does blob stand for in Azure?
 Blob stands for Binary Large OBject.
What are the 3 tiers of blob storage?
 The 3 tiers of blob storage are Hot, Cool, and Archive.
What is block blob vs append blob vs page blob?
 Block blobs are used for streaming and storing large binary objects. Append blobs are used for logging scenarios. Page blobs are used for random read/write operations.
What is hot tier in used for in Azure Storage?
 The Hot tier is used for frequently accessed data that requires high-performance access times.
What is the cold tier used for in Azure Storage?
 The Cool tier is used for infrequently accessed data that requires low-cost storage.
What is the archive tier used for in Azure Storage?
 The Archive tier is used for rarely accessed data that needs to be stored for a long time at a very low cost.
What is the difference between blob and block blob?
 Blob is a general term for data stored in Azure Storage. Block blobs are a type of blob that are used for large binary objects.
What is the content type of Azure blobs?
 Azure blobs can have any content type specified by the user.
How can I get the consumption of my Azure Blob Storage?
 Use Cloud Storage Manager to provide you with an overview and more indepth insights in to your Azure Storage consumption. Find out exactly how much storage each storage account, container or folder contains.
Is Azure blob storage equivalent to S3?
 Yes, Azure blob storage is equivalent to S3 in AWS.
Is Azure blob storage a data lake?
 No, Azure blob storage is not a data lake.
Can Azure blob storage store structured data?
 Yes, Azure blob storage can store structured data in the form of text, JSON, or XML files.
What is the maximum number of blob containers in an Azure storage account?
 The maximum number of blob containers in an Azure storage account is 500,000.
How to create an Azure storage account

How to create an Azure storage account

by | Jan 18, 2022 | Azure, Azure Blobs, How To

In today’s digital world, data storage has become an essential aspect of businesses of all sizes. As data continues to grow exponentially, the need for reliable, scalable, and cost-effective storage solutions has become more critical than ever. Microsoft Azure is a popular cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of storage solutions. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating an Azure Storage account step-by-step.

What is Azure Storage?

Azure Storage is a cloud-based storage solution that provides scalable, durable, and highly available storage for your applications and data. It offers a range of storage types, including Blob, File, Queue, and Table storage, which are designed to meet different storage needs. Azure Storage provides a high degree of flexibility and enables you to easily scale up or down as your storage needs change.

Azure Storage Account Use Cases

Use Case Description
Data Backup and Recovery Azure Storage Account is an ideal solution for data backup and recovery purposes. It allows users to store backup data in a secure and scalable manner, and retrieve it as needed. This use case is particularly useful for businesses that need to store and retrieve large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
Media Storage and Streaming Azure Storage Account is also an excellent option for storing and streaming media files, such as videos and music. It provides a high level of performance and scalability, making it easy to store and retrieve media files as needed. This use case is particularly useful for businesses that need to stream videos or other media content to their customers.
Application Data Storage Azure Storage Account is a reliable and cost-effective solution for storing application data. It provides flexible options for storing and retrieving data, making it easy to manage application data as needed. This use case is particularly useful for businesses that need to store and manage large amounts of application data.
Archival Storage Azure Storage Account also provides an excellent option for archival storage. This use case involves storing data that is infrequently accessed, but still needs to be retained for compliance or other reasons. Azure Storage Account offers cost-effective options for storing archival data over long periods of time, while still providing easy access to the data when needed.
Disaster Recovery Azure Storage Account can also be used for disaster recovery purposes. It allows businesses to store backup data in a separate location, providing an added layer of protection in case of a disaster. This use case is particularly useful for businesses that need to ensure that their data is protected and accessible at all times, even in the event of a disaster.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO CREATE AN AZURE STORAGE ACCOUNT.

Open the Azure Portal

First thing to do is to open the browser of your choice and into your Azure Subscription at https://portal.azure.com


Portal Azure Com

New Azure Storage Account

Now navigate to the top left of the browser, click the three dashes and scroll down to Storage Accounts, then choose create.


Create Storage Account

Create an Azure Storage Account

The Browser will now open into the Create a Storage Account Wizard.

Here you will need to know and set a few things so your storage account can be created. 

SUBSCRIPTION – First thing is which of your Azure Subscriptions the Storage Account should reside in. 

RESOURCE GROUP – Next is the Resource Group, you can either choose an existing Resource Group or create a new one. 

STORAGE ACCOUNT NAME – This is the name that you want the Storage Account to be called. It must be unique.

REGION – The Azure datacentre you want the Storage Account to reside.

PERFORMANCE – You can choose Standard or Premium for the performance of the Storage Account.

REDUNDANCY – Choose what sort of redundancy you want for the Storage Account. (More info on this and more about Azure Blob Storage at this link)

Choose from;

    • Locally Redundant Storage – (LRS)  
    • Geo Redundant Storage – (GRS) 
    • Zone Redundant Storage – (ZRS) 
    • Geo Zone Redundant Storage – (GZRS) 

When you are ready to progress, you can skip the next few steps by clicking Review + Create or click Next : Advanced to proceed to the next steps.

Azure Storage Account Creation

Azure Storage Account Advanced Page

If you clicked on Review + Create on the previous page, you can skip these steps. However, if you click on Next : Advanced you will be on the further settings page in the Storage Account Creation wizard.

On this page you configure some further settings;

SECURITY

SECURE TRANSFER FOR REST API – This setting will only allow communication to the Storage Account using HTTPS. HTTP will be rejected when this setting is enabled. 

ENABLE BLOB PUBLIC ACCESS – Choose if you want this storage account to be accessed externally, or only via your internal network.

ENABLE STORAGE ACCOUNT KEY ACCESS – Choose whether you want to enable access using an Azure Shared Storage Key. 

AZURE ACTIVE DIRECTORY– If you have Azure Active Directory you can set this to allow access to the Storage Account using Azure AD.

MINIMUM TLS VERSION – This sets the minimum TLS version that any applications accessing the Storage Account can use. 

    • TLS version 1.2 
    • TLS version 1.1
    • TLS version 1.0

DATA LAKE STORAGE GEN2


ENABLE HIERARCHICAL NAMESPACE – The Data Lake Storage Gen2 hierarchical namespace accelerates big data analytics workloads and enables file-level access control lists

SSH FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL (SFTP)


ENABLE SFTP – Enables the SSH File Transfer Protocol for your storage account that allows users to access blobs via an SFTP endpoint. 


BLOB STORAGE


ENABLE NETWORK FILE SYSTEM v3 – This will allow the Network File System Protocol so that users can access their files across the network.

ALLOW CROSS-TENANT REPLICATION – This allows object replication from this storage account to another storage account within a Different Azure tenant. Not enabling this setting will limit this replication only within the same Azure tenant.

ACCESS TIER – Sets the default access tier for the storage account.

    • HOT – For frequently accessed data
    • COOL – For less frequently accessed data

AZURE FILES

ENABLE LARGE FILE SHARES – Provides support for file shares up to 100 TiB.

When you are ready to progress, click Next : Networking to proceed to the next steps.5

Azure Storage Account Creation Advanced Settings

Azure Storage Account Network Connectivity

If you clicked on Review + Create on the previous page, you can skip these steps. However if you click on Next : Advanced you will be on the further settings page in the Storage Account Creation wizard.

On this page you configure some further settings;

NETWORK CONNECTIVITY

CONNECTIVITY METHOD – This setting will only allow communication to the Storage Account using HTTPS. HTTP will be rejected when this setting is enabled. 

    • PUBLIC ENDPOINTS (ALL NETWORKS) – All networks will be able to access this storage account.
    • PUBLIC ENDPOINTS (SELECTED NETWORKS) – Selected networks will be able to access this storage account.
    • PRIVATE ENDPOINT – Only allow access from your internal network.

NOTE: The remaining options on this page will change depending on which of the connectivity methods you chose above.

PUBLIC ENDPOINTS (ALL NETWORKS) OPTION

ROUTING PREFERENCE– Chose how to route the traffic to your storage account endpoint.

    • MICROSOFT NETWORK ROUTING 
    • INTERNET ROUTING 

PUBLIC ENDPOINTS (SELECTED NETWORKS) OPTION

VIRTUAL NETWORKS – Only the selected networks will be able to access this Storage Account.

VIRTUAL NETWORK SUBSCRIPTION – Which Azure Subscription the network will be provisioned. 

VIRTUAL NETWORK – You can create or use an existing virtual network to allow access to this storage account.

NETWORK ROUTING – Determine how to route your traffic as it travels from the source to its Azure endpoint. Microsoft network routing is recommended for most customers.

ROUTING PREFERENCE – Two options here, Microsoft Routing or Internet Routing. Microsoft Network Routing will direct your traffic to enter the Microsoft cloud as quickly as possible from the source. Internet Routing will direct your traffic to enter the Microsoft Cloud closer to the Azure Endpoint.

    • MICROSOFT NETWORK ROUTING 
    • INTERNET ROUTING 

PRIVATE ENDPOINT

 CREATE A PRIVATE ENDPOINT – Here you can create a Private Endpoint for connectivity to the Storage Account. 

NETWORK ROUTING – Determine how to route your traffic as it travels from the source to its Azure endpoint. Microsoft network routing is recommended for most customers.

ROUTING PREFERENCE – Two options here, Microsoft Routing or Internet Routing. Microsoft Network Routing will direct your traffic to enter the Microsoft cloud as quickly as possible from the source. Internet Routing will direct your traffic to enter the Microsoft Cloud closer to the Azure Endpoint.

    • MICROSOFT NETWORK ROUTING 
    • INTERNET ROUTING 

 When you are ready to progress, click Next : Data Protection to proceed to the next steps

Azure Storage Account Creation Networking

Azure Storage Account Recovery

Now you should be presented with the Data Protection Page.

On this page you configure these settings;

RECOVERY – Protects your data from accidental deletion and erroneous deletion or modification.

Choose which of these options you want to protect the data within your Storage Account, and how many days you wish to retain the deleted Blobs.

    • POINT IN TIME RESTORES FOR CONTAINERS
    • ENABLE SOFT DELETE FOR BLOBS
    • ENABLE SOFT DELETE FOR CONTAINERS
    • ENABLE SOFT DELETE FOR FILE SHARES 

TRACKING

Provides versioning and monitors and logs changes made to your Blob data.

  • ENABLE VERSIONING FOR BLOBS
  • ENABLE BLOB CHANGE FEED

ACCESS CONTROL

ENABLE VERSION LEVEL IMMUTABILITY SUPPORT– Allows you to set time-based retention policy on the account-level that will apply to all blob versions. Enable this feature to set a default policy at the account level. Without enabling this, you can still set a default policy at the container level or set policies for specific blob versions. Versioning is required for this property to be enabled.

When you are ready to progress, click Next : Encryption to proceed to the next steps

Azure Storage Account Creation Data Protection Settings

Azure Storage Account Tagging

Almost there, now on the TAGS Page.

On this page, you configure any TAGS you want to be applied to the Storage Account.

When you are ready to progress, the last step is to click on Next : Review + Create to proceed to the final step

Azure Storage Account Creation Tags Settings

Azure Storage Account Created

Finally, we are there (Well if you did skip all options in Step 3, you were here a lot sooner)

Confirm all the settings here match the options you want and when you are finally ready to create your Azure Storage Account, click on Create.

And that’s all there is to it, you have created a Storage Account within Azure that you can now start to access and use all the benefits that Azure’s Storage has to offer.

Now once you start using it and want to gain some insights into your Azure Storage Consumption and Usage, you can trial our software for free, Cloud Storage Manager.


Azure Storage Account Creation Confirm Settings

Azure Storage Account FAQs

What is a storage account? 

A storage account is a secure and scalable cloud storage solution provided by cloud service providers like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform.

What are the benefits of using a storage account? 

Storage accounts offer several benefits such as high availability, scalability, durability, security, and cost-effectiveness.

What types of data can be stored in a storage account? 

Storage accounts can store various types of data such as files, blobs, tables, and queues.

Can multiple applications access the same storage account simultaneously?

Yes, multiple applications can access the same storage account simultaneously.

What is the pricing model for a storage account? 

The pricing model for a storage account depends on the cloud service provider and the type of storage account. Generally, users are charged based on the amount of data stored, the number of transactions performed, and the amount of data transferred.

In today’s world, where data is one of the most valuable assets of any organization, having a reliable and scalable storage solution is crucial. Storage accounts offered by cloud service providers are an excellent option for storing, managing, and accessing data in a secure and cost-effective way. With the flexibility to store various types of data and the ability to scale up or down based on the requirements, storage accounts have become a popular choice among organizations of all sizes. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, a storage account can help you manage your data more efficiently and effectively.

How Cloud Technology Can Help Your Business

How Cloud Technology Can Help Your Business

by | Jul 5, 2021 | Azure, How To

How Cloud Technology Can Help Your Business

Between 2019 and 2020, more Australian businesses have turned to cloud computing technologies. A recent survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that businesses using paid cloud computing — IT services used over the internet to access software, computing power, and storage capacity — jumped to 55% from 42% in 2017 to 2018.

Indeed, cloud hosting technology is more popular now than ever before. It’s incredibly useful for storing and organising hundreds of TB and PB in unstructured data, as mentioned in a blog post on Microsoft Azure BLOBs. Beyond storage capabilities, cloud technology can help you run your business through:

Remote file sharing and collaboration

Since the coronavirus pandemic started, collaborative tools on the cloud have helped businesses move forward, even as most employees have been working remotely. Instead of storing information, files, and apps on a work computer or an office server, cloud technology enables you to store data over the internet. With the proper access credentials, a compatible device, and an internet connection, all the information you need to work on is available from anywhere in the world.

Cloud-based services also enable you to share and work on files together with your colleagues; Microsoft Azure Boards is especially useful, as it connects your Microsoft Teams account so you can smoothly plan, track, and discuss work across your teams on customisable Kanban boards and team dashboards.

Improved website ranking

These days, it’s impossible to gain a wider audience online if your business doesn’t rank well on search engines. In a competitive environment, a high ranking on search engines gives you increased visibility and a better reputation. Cloud hosting can improve search engine optimization (SEO) efforts to boost the rankings of business websites online. Leading global SEO agency Ayima highlights that rankings and digital performance are determined by factors such as performance SEO, analytics, and user experience.

These factors can aid in driving organic traffic to your website and increase your presence on Google. For one, cloud technology vastly boosts the user experience by allowing pages to load faster and more smoothly; faster loading times keep users satisfied as they interact with your site, leading to lower bounce rates. Robust cloud hosting programs also offer strong security against bots and malware, which protects your content and provides visitors an optimal experience.

Enhanced security

Cloud technology offers better levels of security, especially if you compare it to physical data storage. You can automate settings to constantly back up your data so you won’t have to worry about losing it to data theft, viruses, natural disasters, or malicious actors. By default, Azure Storage services are equipped with Storage-side Encryption, where data is encrypted by Microsoft-managed keys before getting stored.

Whether it’s an on-site system failure, fire, or flood, cloud technology also allows users to retrieve the latest version of data from a safe, online location. Some providers even have geo-redundant back-ups, where data is saved across multiple locations, and in case something happens, everything will continue running on your end.

Cost-efficient scaling

Buying or building a bespoke server involves a great deal of time, expertise, money, and maintenance, so it may not be the most ideal choice if you’re trying to scale up and expand your business. On the other hand, cloud computing allows you to expand at will for a predictable, monthly expense.

Cloud technologies are elastic and flexible, so they can handle busy periods or react accordingly when things slow down — preventing you from overspending. Recently, hybrid cloud infrastructure solution Microsoft Azure Stack HCI was integrated into Hewlett Packard’s HPE GreenLake platform for additional control over both on-premise workloads and cloud environments, enabling businesses to determine what setup works best for their needs.

For the latest on Microsoft Azure and cloud computing, be sure to follow the SmiKar Software blog.

This article was specially written for www.smikar.com as a guest post by Aileen Conner