by Mark | Mar 8, 2023 | Azure, Azure Blobs, Azure FIles, Azure Queues, Azure Tables, Blob Storage, Storage Accounts
90 things you may not know about Azure Storage
Azure Storage is a cloud-based storage solution that provides secure, scalable, and highly available storage for your data. It is a crucial component of Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, providing various storage services, including Blob Storage, File Storage, Queue Storage, Table Storage, and Archive Storage. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Azure Storage and discuss 90 things you may not know about it.
Azure Storage Overview
Azure Storage is a cloud-based storage solution that provides secure, scalable, and highly available storage for your data. It is a crucial component of Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, providing various storage services, including Blob Storage, File Storage, Queue Storage, Table Storage, and Archive Storage. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Azure Storage and discuss 90 things you may not know about it.
First 10 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Offers a free tier with limited storage and transaction capacity |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports server-side encryption for data-at-rest using customer-managed keys |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Provides different tiers of storage for different use cases and cost-effectiveness |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports various types of data, including blobs, tables, files, and queues |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Provides a scalable and reliable platform for storing and retrieving large amounts of unstructured data |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Offers a feature called Azure Import/Export, which enables data transfer using physical media |
Blob |
| Provides a REST API and SDKs for various programming languages |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Allows creating and managing shared access signatures (SAS) for secure access control |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Provides a feature called Azure Data Lake Storage for big data analytics workloads |
Data Lake Storage |
| Supports cross-region replication for disaster recovery and high availability scenarios |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
20 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Offers a feature called Azure Blob Storage lifecycle management for automating blob retention and deletion |
Blob |
| Supports virtual network service endpoints for secure access from a virtual network |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Allows setting up Azure Private Link for secure access from an Azure Virtual Network |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Provides a feature called Azure Disk Encryption for encrypting virtual machine disks using customer-managed keys |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports soft delete for recovering deleted data within a retention period |
Blob |
| Provides a feature called Azure StorSimple for hybrid storage and backup solutions |
Blob |
| Offers a feature called Azure Queue Storage for reliable message queuing between applications |
Queue |
| Supports automatic tiering between different storage tiers based on access patterns and cost-effectiveness |
Blob |
| Allows setting up custom domain names for storage accounts |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Provides a feature called Azure Backup for backup and recovery of virtual machines, databases, and files |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports file shares for NFS 3.0 and SMB 3.0 protocols |
File |
30 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Provides a feature called Azure File Sync for synchronizing on-premises file servers with Azure Files |
File |
| Offers a feature called Azure Archive Storage for long-term retention of infrequently accessed data |
Blob |
| Provides a feature called Azure Premium Files for high-performance file shares |
File |
| Allows setting up alerts and metrics for monitoring and troubleshooting |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports geo-redundant storage for data replication across regions |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Allows setting up lifecycle management policies for automatic data tiering and deletion |
Blob, Table |
| Provides a feature called Azure Data Box for offline data transfer using ruggedized appliances |
Blob |
| Allows setting up read-only access to blob containers and file shares using shared access signatures (SAS) |
Blob, File |
| Provides a feature called Azure AD Authentication for authenticating access to storage accounts using Azure Active Directory |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports versioning for blobs, allowing retrieval of previous versions of objects |
Blob |
40 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Provides a feature called Azure Monitor for centralized monitoring and management of storage accounts |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Allows setting up firewall and virtual network rules for secure access control |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Supports append blobs for efficient and atomic appends to blobs |
Blob |
| Provides a feature called Azure Blob Storage inventory for tracking blob metadata and properties |
Blob |
| Allows setting up bandwidth throttling for limiting data transfer rates |
Blob, Table, File |
| Supports object replication within a region for high availability scenarios |
Blob |
| Provides a feature called Azure AD Domain Services for joining storage accounts to an Azure AD domain |
Blob, Table, File, Queue |
| Allows setting up access tiers for hot, cool, and archive data |
Blob |
| Supports page blobs for efficient random read and write access to data, which makes them ideal for storing VHD files and providing persistent disks for Azure Virtual Machines |
Blob |
| Provides a feature called Azure File Sync cloud tiering for optimizing storage usage on file servers |
File |
50 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Setting up blob versioning |
Blob Storage |
| Blob tiering |
Blob Storage |
| Azure Blob Storage immutable storage |
Blob Storage |
| Soft delete for blob containers and file shares |
Blob Storage |
| Managed disks for virtual machines |
Blob Storage |
| Azure Blob Storage object replication |
Blob Storage |
| Custom metadata for blobs and files |
Blob Storage |
| Block blobs |
Blob Storage |
| Azure File Sync file locking |
File Storage |
| Setting up access policies for blob containers and file shares |
Blob Storage, File Storage |
60 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Parallel data transfer |
All |
| Change feed |
Azure Blob Storage |
| Geo-disaster recovery |
All |
| Snapshots |
All |
| Backup Center |
All |
| Blob leasing |
Azure Blob Storage |
| Blob versioning (append blobs) |
Azure Blob Storage |
| Static website hosting |
Azure Blob Storage |
| Access tiers for individual blobs |
Azure Blob Storage |
| Blob properties for metadata and caching |
Azure Blob Storage |
70 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Azure Blob Storage soft delete |
Blob Storage |
| Shared access policies |
Blob Storage and File Storage |
| Page blob snapshots |
Blob Storage |
| Azure Disk Encryption |
Blob Storage and Managed Disks |
| Blob-level tiering |
Blob Storage |
| Client-side encryption |
Blob Storage |
| Azure Storage Explorer |
Blob Storage |
| Blob versioning for block blobs |
Blob Storage |
| Blob properties |
Blob Storage |
| Azure Import/Export Service |
Blob Storage |
80 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| Setting up access tiers for individual files |
File Storage |
| File properties for specifying file metadata and content encoding |
File Storage |
| Azure Blob Storage lifecycle management for automating blob deletion and tiering |
Blob Storage |
| Setting up file share snapshot policies |
File Storage |
| File lease for exclusive write access to a file |
File Storage |
| Azure Data Box Gateway for accessing Azure Storage from on-premises file servers |
File Storage |
| File-level tiering for optimizing storage usage and cost |
File Storage |
| Client-side encryption for data-in-transit using HTTPS |
File Storage and Blob Storage |
| Azure Blob Storage event grid for triggering events based on blob storage activities |
Blob Storage |
| Setting up file auditing for tracking file share activity |
File Storage |
90 things about Azure Storage
| Azure Storage Feature |
Azure Storage Type |
| File shares for SMB and NFS access |
File Storage |
| Azure Blob Storage metadata indexing for searching blobs using metadata |
Blob Storage |
| Setting up file share quota for limiting file share usage |
File Storage |
| File share properties for specifying file share metadata and caching options |
File Storage |
| Azure Blob Storage blob indexing for searching blobs using content |
Blob Storage |
| Setting up file share snapshots for recovering deleted or modified files within a retention period |
File Storage |
| File lease for exclusive write access to a file share |
File Storage |
| Azure File Sync cloud endpoint for syncing file servers to Azure file shares |
File Storage |
| Setting up file share level tiering for optimizing storage usage and cost |
File Storage |
Azure Storage is a cloud-based storage solution offered by Microsoft Azure that provides various features for storing and managing data in the cloud. These features include blob storage, file storage, and disk storage, as well as other capabilities such as tiering, replication, versioning, and encryption.
By using Azure Storage, businesses can scale up or down their storage requirements as needed, and only pay for what they use. They can also take advantage of features such as geo-replication and disaster recovery, as well as integrate with other Azure services such as Virtual Machines, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Functions.
Overall, Azure Storage offers a flexible and scalable storage solution that can meet the needs of a wide range of applications and workloads.
Azure Storage Unlocked
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by Mark | Feb 22, 2023 | Azure, Azure Blobs, Azure Tables, Blob Storage, Comparison
Azure Blob or Table Storage?
When it comes to storing data in the cloud, there are many options to choose from. Azure, one of the leading cloud service providers, offers a wide range of storage options, including Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage. Both are designed to help businesses store and manage large amounts of data, but they have different use cases and capabilities.
In this article, we will compare Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage and help you determine which one is right for your business needs.
Azure Blob Storage Overview:
Azure Blob Storage is a cloud-based storage solution designed to store unstructured data like images, videos, documents, and backups. It offers unlimited capacity and can store any amount of data, from a few gigabytes to petabytes of data. Azure Blob Storage is ideal for storing large files that do not need to be queried frequently.
Azure Table Storage Overview:
Azure Table Storage, on the other hand, is a NoSQL key-value database that stores structured data. It is designed for storing structured data like user profiles, logs, and configuration data. Azure Table Storage is a highly scalable solution that can handle large amounts of structured data.
Differences between Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage:
Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage are designed for different use cases and have different capabilities. Here are some key differences between the two:
- Data Structure: Azure Blob Storage stores unstructured data, while Azure Table Storage stores structured data.
- Querying: Azure Blob Storage does not provide querying capabilities, while Azure Table Storage allows you to query your data using a simple key-value pair.
- Cost: Azure Blob Storage is more cost-effective for storing large amounts of unstructured data, while Azure Table Storage is more cost-effective for storing structured data that requires frequent querying.
Use Cases for Azure Blob Storage:
Azure Blob Storage is ideal for storing and managing large unstructured data like:
- Media files: Images, videos, and audio files can be easily stored and retrieved using Azure Blob Storage.
- Backups: Azure Blob Storage can be used to store backups of virtual machines, databases, and other applications.
- Logs: Azure Blob Storage can store log files generated by applications, servers, and other systems.
Use Cases for Azure Table Storage:
Azure Table Storage is ideal for storing and managing structured data like:
- User profiles: Azure Table Storage can store user profiles that are accessed frequently by web applications.
- Configuration data: Azure Table Storage can store configuration data like settings and preferences that are required by applications.
- Logging and telemetry data: Azure Table Storage can store logs and telemetry data generated by applications and systems.
| Azure Blob Storage |
Azure Table Storage |
| Large amounts of unstructured data like images, videos, and backups |
Structured data like user profiles, logs, and configuration data |
| High scalability for read-heavy workloads |
Frequent querying of structured data |
| Data that requires high availability and durability |
Structured data that requires indexing and filtering |
| Serving data for web and mobile applications |
Fast data access for real-time analytics |
| Cost-effective storage for infrequently accessed data |
Cost-effective storage for frequently accessed data |
Pros and Cons of Azure Table and Azure Blob Storage:
| Pros |
Azure Blob Storage |
Azure Table Storage |
| Data storage |
Suitable for large amounts of unstructured data like images, videos, backups |
Designed for structured data like user profiles, logs, configuration data |
| Querying capabilities |
Supports simple querying using metadata or properties |
Supports easy querying using key-value pairs |
| Scalability |
Highly scalable for read-heavy workloads |
Limited scalability, may not be suitable for storing very large data sets |
| Cost-effectiveness |
Cost-effective for storing infrequently accessed data |
Cost-effective for storing frequently accessed structured data |
| Cons |
Azure Blob Storage |
Azure Table Storage |
| Data storage |
Not suitable for structured data that requires frequent querying |
Limited support for unstructured data |
| Querying capabilities |
Limited querying capabilities, not suitable for structured data |
Limited querying capabilities for unstructured data |
| Scalability |
Limited support for write-heavy workloads |
Limited scalability, may not be suitable for storing very large data sets |
| Cost-effectiveness |
Costly for storing frequently accessed structured data |
Costly for storing infrequently accessed data |
As you can see, both Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right storage option for your business depends on the type of data you need to store and how frequently you need to access it. By understanding the pros and cons of each technology, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your business needs.
Pros and Cons of Azure Table and Azure Blob Storage:
| Pros |
Azure Blob Storage |
Azure Table Storage |
| Data storage |
Suitable for large amounts of unstructured data like images, videos, backups |
Designed for structured data like user profiles, logs, configuration data |
| Querying capabilities |
Supports simple querying using metadata or properties |
Supports easy querying using key-value pairs |
| Scalability |
Highly scalable for read-heavy workloads |
Limited scalability, may not be suitable for storing very large data sets |
| Cost-effectiveness |
Cost-effective for storing infrequently accessed data |
Cost-effective for storing frequently accessed structured data |
| Cons |
Azure Blob Storage |
Azure Table Storage |
| Data storage |
Not suitable for structured data that requires frequent querying |
Limited support for unstructured data |
| Querying capabilities |
Limited querying capabilities, not suitable for structured data |
Limited querying capabilities for unstructured data |
| Scalability |
Limited support for write-heavy workloads |
Limited scalability, may not be suitable for storing very large data sets |
| Cost-effectiveness |
Costly for storing frequently accessed structured data |
Costly for storing infrequently accessed data |
As you can see, both Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right storage option for your business depends on the type of data you need to store and how frequently you need to access it. By understanding the pros and cons of each technology, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your business needs.
Azure Blob and Table Storage FAQs
Can I use Azure Blob Storage to store structured data?
Yes, you can store structured data in Azure Blob Storage, but it does not have querying capabilities like Azure Table Storage.
Can I use Azure Table Storage to store unstructured data?
While Azure Table Storage is designed for storing structured data, you can store unstructured data using a single column of type Binary.
Which storage option is more cost-effective?
It depends on the type of data you need to store. Azure Blob Storage is more cost-effective for storing large amounts of unstructured data, while Azure Table Storage is more cost-effective for storing structured data that requires frequent querying.
Can I use both Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage together?
Yes, you can use both Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage together to store different types of data based on your business needs.
What is Azure Blob Storage and what types of data can it store?
Azure Blob Storage is a cloud-based object storage solution that is designed for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as images, videos, and backups. It can also store structured data in the form of blobs, which can be used to store documents, logs, and other file types.
What is Azure Table Storage and what types of data can it store?
Azure Table Storage is a NoSQL key-value storage solution that is designed for structured data, such as user profiles, logs, and configuration data. It stores data in a table format with a partition key and a row key, making it easy to query and filter the data.
How do I choose between Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage?
Choosing the right storage solution depends on the type of data you need to store and how frequently you need to access it. If you have large amounts of unstructured data or need to serve data for web and mobile applications, Azure Blob Storage may be the best choice. If you have structured data that requires frequent querying or indexing, Azure Table Storage may be the better option.
What are the scalability options for Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage?
Azure Blob Storage is highly scalable and can handle read-heavy workloads with ease. It can also scale to store petabytes of data. Azure Table Storage, on the other hand, has limited scalability and may not be suitable for storing very large data sets.
What are the cost implications of using Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage?
Azure Blob Storage is cost-effective for storing infrequently accessed data, while Azure Table Storage is cost-effective for storing frequently accessed structured data. However, both options have their own cost implications, and it’s important to consider your business needs and budget before making a decision.
Can I use both Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage together?
Yes, you can use both storage solutions together in your Azure environment. This can be useful if you have both unstructured and structured data that you need to store and access. By using both solutions together, you can take advantage of their respective strengths and create a comprehensive storage strategy that meets your business needs.
How can I optimize my storage usage and reduce costs?
There are several strategies you can use to optimize your Azure storage usage and reduce costs, such as tiering your data in Azure Blob Storage, setting up lifecycle policies, and using tools like Cloud Storage Manager to monitor and analyze your usage. It’s important to regularly review your storage strategy and adjust it as needed to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your investment.
In conclusion, Azure Blob Storage and Azure Table Storage are both valuable storage options in Azure with their unique strengths and use cases. Choosing the right option depends on the type of data you need to store and how frequently you need to access it. To learn more about Azure storage limits, check out this informative article. If you need to tier your data in Azure Blob Storage, this guide can help. Additionally, if you want to optimize your Azure Blob Storage consumption and save money, consider using our software product, Cloud Storage Manager. It provides detailed analytics and reporting on your Azure Blob Storage usage, allowing you to make informed decisions about optimizing your storage usage and reducing costs. With the right knowledge and tools, you can make the most out of your Azure storage options and achieve your business goals.
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by Mark | Feb 5, 2023 | Azure, Azure Tables
Azure Tables overview
Azure Tables is a NoSQL cloud-based data storage service provided by Microsoft. It allows users to store and retrieve structured data in the cloud, and it is designed to be highly scalable and cost-effective.
Azure Tables are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Storing large amounts of structured data: Azure Tables are designed to store large amounts of structured data, making it a good option for big data workloads.
- Building highly scalable applications: Azure Tables are highly scalable, making it a good option for building applications that need to handle a large number of users or requests.
- Storing semi-structured data: Azure Tables can store semi-structured data, making it a good option for storing data that doesn’t fit well in a traditional relational database.
- Storing metadata: Azure Tables are commonly used to store metadata, such as the properties of a file or image.
- Storing log data: Azure Tables can be used to store log data, that can be later used for analysis and troubleshooting.
- Storing session data for Web application: Azure Tables can be used as a session state provider for web applications
- Storing non-relational data: Azure Tables is good for storing non-relational data, such as data from IoT devices, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
- Storing hierarchical data: Azure tables can be used to store hierarchical data, such as data from a tree-like structure.
In summary, Azure Tables are a cost-effective, highly scalable, and flexible data storage service that is well suited for storing large amounts of structured and semi-structured data. It can be used for different purposes and can be integrated easily with other Azure services.
What are the best practices when using Azure Tables?
When using Azure Tables, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure that your data is stored efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively. Some best practices to keep in mind include:
- Use partition keys and row keys effectively: When designing your Azure Tables, it’s important to choose appropriate partition keys and row keys to ensure that your data is stored efficiently. This will ensure that your data is spread across multiple storage nodes, which can help to improve performance and reduce costs.
- Use indexing: Azure Tables supports indexing, which can help to improve the performance of queries and reduce the number of requests made to the service. Be mindful of the cost of indexing and the size of the index.
- Use batch operations: Azure Tables allows you to perform batch operations, which can help to reduce the number of requests made to the service and improve performance.
- Use the appropriate storage tier: Azure Tables offers several storage tiers, including the standard storage tier, and the premium storage tier. Choosing the appropriate storage tier for your workload can help to reduce costs.
- Use Azure’s built-in security features: Azure Tables includes built-in security features such as Azure Active Directory (AAD) authentication, and access controls that can be used to secure your data.
- Use Azure’s built-in cost optimization tools: Azure provides a number of built-in tools that can help you optimize your storage costs, such as the Azure Cost Management tool.
- Monitor and analyze usage metrics: To ensure that your Azure Tables are being used efficiently and effectively, it’s important to monitor and analyze usage metrics such as storage usage, request rate, and error rate.
- backup your data: it’s important to backup your data to avoid data loss and to have a disaster recovery plan.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that your Azure Tables are used efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively.
How to further save money with Azure Tables:
- Use Azure Reserved Instances: Reserved Instances allow you to pre-pay for a certain amount of storage for a period of time, which can result in significant savings.
- Use Azure’s pay-as-you-go pricing model: Azure’s pay-as-you-go pricing model allows you to only pay for the storage that you actually use. This can be a cost-effective option for users who don’t need a large amount of storage.
- Take advantage of Azure’s free trial: Azure offers a free trial that allows users to test out the service before committing to a paid subscription.
- Use Azure cool storage for infrequently accessed data: By using Azure cool storage for infrequently accessed data, you can reduce the cost of storing that data.
Azure Tables conclusion
Azure Tables is a NoSQL data storage service that allows users to store and retrieve structured data in the cloud. It is designed to be highly scalable and cost-effective. By understanding the different storage options available, using Azure Data Box, and taking advantage of Azure’s built-in cost optimization tools, users can efficiently reduce
