Storage architecture design

The Azure Storage platform is the Microsoft cloud storage solution for modern data storage scenarios.

The Azure Storage platform includes the following data services:

• Azure Blob Storage: A massively scalable object store for text and binary data. Also includes support for big data analytics through Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
• Azure Files: Managed file shares for cloud or on-premises deployments.
• Azure NetApp Files: An Azure native, first-party, enterprise-class, high-performance file storage service.
• Azure Queue Storage: A messaging store for reliable messaging between application components.
• Azure Table Storage: A NoSQL store for schemaless storage of structured data.
• Azure Disk Storage: Block-level storage volumes for Azure VMs.

Introduction to storage on Azure

If you're new to storage on Azure, the best way to learn more is Microsoft Learn training. This free online platform provides interactive learning for Microsoft products and more. Check out the Store data in Azure learning path.

Path to production

• Choose the storage approach that best meets your needs and then create an account. For more information, see Storage account overview. For information about Azure NetApp Files, see Storage hierarchy of Azure NetApp Files.

• Be sure you understand security and reliability. See these articles:

  • Azure Storage encryption for data at rest
  • Use private endpoints - Azure Storage
  • Data redundancy - Azure Storage
  • Disaster recovery and storage account failover - Azure Storage
  • Understand data encryption in Azure NetApp Files
  • Understand data protection and disaster recovery options in Azure NetApp Files

• For information about migrating existing data, see the Azure Storage migration guide.

Best practices

Depending on the storage technology you use, see the following best practices resources:

• Performance and scalability checklist for Blob Storage
• Best practices for using Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
• Planning for an Azure Files deployment
• Performance and scalability checklist for Queue Storage
• Azure Storage table design patterns
• Solution architectures using Azure NetApp Files
• Performance considerations for Azure NetApp Files

Blob Storage

See the following guides for information about Blob Storage:

• Authorize access to blobs using Microsoft Entra ID
• Security recommendations for Blob Storage

Azure Data Lake Storage

See the following guides for information about Data Lake Storage:

• Best practices for using Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
• Azure Policy Regulatory Compliance controls for Azure Data Lake Storage Gen1

Azure Files

See the following guides for information about Azure Files:

• Planning for an Azure Files deployment
• Overview of Azure Files identity-based authentication options for SMB access
• Disaster recovery and storage account failover
• About Azure file share backup

Azure NetApp Files

See the following guides for information about Azure NetApp Files:

• Solution architectures using Azure NetApp Files
• Storage hierarchy of Azure NetApp Files
• Service levels for Azure NetApp Files
• Understand data protection and disaster recovery options in Azure NetApp Files
• Guidelines for Azure NetApp Files network planning
• Quickstart: Set up Azure NetApp Files and NFS volume

Queue Storage

See the following guides for information about Queue Storage:

• Authorize access to queues using Microsoft Entra ID
• Performance and scalability checklist for Queue Storage

Table Storage

See the following guides for information about Table Storage:

• Authorize access to tables using Microsoft Entra ID (preview)
• Performance and scalability checklist for Table storage
• Design scalable and performant tables
• Design for querying

Azure Disk Storage

See the following guides for information about Azure managed disks:

• Server-side encryption of Azure Disk Storage
• Azure Disk Encryption for Windows VMs
• Azure premium storage: design for high performance
• Scalability and performance targets for VM disks

Stay current with storage

Get the latest updates on Azure Storage products and features.

Additional resources

To plan for your storage needs, see Review your storage options.

Example solutions

Here are a few sample implementations of storage on Azure:

• Using Azure file shares in a hybrid environment
• Azure files accessed on-premises and secured by AD DS
• Enterprise file shares with disaster recovery
• Hybrid file services
• Medical data storage solutions

See more storage examples in the Azure Architecture Center.

AWS or Google Cloud professionals

These articles provide service mapping and comparison between Azure and other cloud services. They can help you ramp up quickly on Azure.

• Compare AWS and Azure Storage services
• Google Cloud to Azure services comparison - Storage