Table of contents

• Step 1- Create and configure a storage account for Azure Files.
• Step 2- Create and configure a file share with directory.
• Step 3- Configure and test snapshots.
• Step 4- Configure restricting storage access to selected virtual networks.

Step 1- Create and configure a storage account for Azure Files.

1. Create a storage account for the finance department’s shared files.

• In the portal, search for and select Storage accounts.

• Select + Create.

• For Resource group select Create new. Give your resource group a name and select OK to save your changes.
• Provide a Storage account name. Ensure the name meets the naming requirements.
• Set the Performance to Premium.
• Set the Premium account type to File shares.
• Set the Redundancy to Zone-redundant storage.
• Select Review and then Create the storage account.

• Wait for the resource to deploy.
• Select Go to resource.

Step 2- Create and configure a file share with directory.

1. Create a file share for the corporate office. Learn more about Azure File tiers.

• In the storage account, in the Data storage section, select the File shares blade.

• Select + File share and provide a Name.
• Review the other options but take the defaults.

• Select Review + Create

2. Add a directory to the file share for the finance department. For future testing, upload a file.

• Select your file share and select + Add directory.
• Name the new directory finance.
• Select Browse and then select the finance directory.
• Notice you can Add directory to further organize your file share.

• Upload a file of your choosing.

Step 3- Configure and test snapshots.

1. Similar to blob storage, you need to protect against accidental deletion of files. You decide to use snapshots. Learn more about file snapshots.

• Select your file share.
• In the Operations section, select the Snapshots blade.
• Select + Add snapshot. The comment is optional. Select OK.

• Select your snapshot and verify your file directory and uploaded file are included.

2. Practice using snapshots to restore a file.

• Return to your file share.
• Browse to your file directory.
• Locate your uploaded file and in the Properties pane select Delete. Select Yes to confirm the deletion.

• Select the Snapshots blade and then select your snapshot.
• Navigate to the file you want to restore,
• Select the file and the select Restore.

• Provide a Restored file name.

• Verify your file directory has the restored file.

Step 4- Configure restricting storage access to selected virtual networks.

1. This tasks in this section require a virtual network with subnet. In a production environment these resources would already be created.

• Search for and select Virtual networks.

• Select + Create. Select your resource group and give the virtual network a name.

• Take the defaults for other parameters, select Review + create, and then Create.
• Wait for the resource to deploy.

• Select Go to resource.

• In the Settings section, select the Subnets blade.
• Select the default subnet.
• In the Service endpoints section choose Microsoft.Storage in the Services drop-down.
• Do not make any other changes.

• Be sure to Save your changes.

2. The storage account should only be accessed from the virtual network you just created.

• Return to your files storage account.
• In the Security + networking section, select the Networking blade.
• Change the Public network access to Enabled from selected virtual networks and IP addresses.
• In the Virtual networks section, select Add existing virtual network.

• Select your virtual network and subnet, select Enable, then Add.
• Be sure to Save your changes.
• Select the Storage browser and navigate to your file share.

• Verify the message not authorized to perform this operation. You are not connecting from the virtual network.

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