Understanding Azure Import/Export Service
The Azure Import/Export service is a means to move TBs of data into and out of Azure Blob and Azure Files services, without tying up corporate network bandwidth or spending long times over network-based data transfer.
The Azure Import/Export service uses Microsoft-provided 256-bit AES encryption, BitLocker, to secure your data. Encryption keys for a job are managed by the Azure portal.
Creating Import and Export Jobs
Now, let’s walk through how to create an Import or Export job on Azure.
Import Job
An Import job transfers on-premises data (from hard-drives) to Azure. Here is how you can create an Import job:
- Create a Job in Azure Portal: From the dashboard, navigate to ‘Storage accounts’ from the left-hand-side services menu. Choose ‘Import/Export jobs’ from the selected storage’s secondary menu.
- Prepare Drives: Use the WAImportExport tool provided by Microsoft to copy data and encrypt the drive. This ensures your data is secure during transit.
- Ship Drives to Azure Data Center: Provide return shipping details and ship the drives to the nearest Azure Data center.
- Microsoft Uploads Data to Azure Storage: Once they get the drives, they upload it to your specified Azure Storage account.
Export job
An export job allows you to transfer data from Azure Blob storage to hard drives that you own. Here is how to do this:
- Create a Job in Azure Portal: From the dashboard, go to your storage account and select ‘Import/Export jobs’ from the secondary menu.
- Export Data: Microsoft will export the data from the specified Azure Blob Storage into a hard drive.
- Microsoft Ships Drives to Your Address: After packaging along with return shipping labels, Microsoft will send back your hard drive.
In both these processes, all operations, including the job creation, shipment tracking and drive preparation for both import and export jobs can be easily managed through the Azure portal.
Monitoring Import/Export Jobs
Azure provides the facility to monitor these jobs through the Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, or Azure REST APIs. You can view detailed log reports which include statistics of each transferred file and a summary of the data.
Conclusion
Import/Export jobs facilitate moving large amounts of data to and from Azure Storage in a secure, reliable and quick manner. Understanding this process is essential for AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification as efficient data movement is a key task in Azure management.
Remember, practicing creating import & export jobs will help you gain confidence and effective techniques for managing resources, an essential competency measured in the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator exam.
Practice Test
True or False: An export job in Azure is used to transfer data to Azure data centers.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: An export job in Azure is used to transfer data from Azure data centers to your local device, not the other way around.
In creating import and export jobs, you can use an existing storage account or create a new one.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: When creating import and export jobs, you may select an existing storage account or create a new one for the task.
What tool is used to create and manage import and export jobs in Azure?
- A. Microsoft Storage Explorer
- B. Azure Management Console
- C. Azure portal
- D. PowerShell
Answer: C. Azure portal
Explanation: Azure portal is used to create and manage import and export jobs in Azure.
True or False: Azure Import/Export service is used to securely import and export large amounts of data from Azure Blob storage and Azure Files.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Import/Export service is particularly designed for these tasks, securely importing and exporting large amounts of data to and from Azure Blob storage and Azure Files.
True or False: It’s not possible to export data to a solid-state drive (SSD) using Azure Import/Export service.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can export data to hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), and storage devices.
Where can you track the status of your import or export job in Azure?
- A. Microsoft Storage Explorer
- B. Azure Management Console
- C. Azure portal
- D. PowerShell
Answer: C. Azure portal
Explanation: You can monitor the status of your Azure import and export jobs through the Azure portal.
True or False: You must transcribe a digital signature to a journal file before running the preparation tool for a drive.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Digitally signing a journal file is a prerequisite for running the drive preparation tool.
For creating and setting up import and export jobs, which of these are required?
- A. Subscription
- B. Storage account
- C. Destination blob or source blob
- D. Mailing address
Answer: All of the Above
Explanation: All the mentioned requirements: Subscription, Storage account, Destination blob or source blob, and Mailing address, are necessary for creating and setting up import and export jobs in Azure.
Is the encryption key used in creating and setting up import and export jobs in Azure the same as the BitLocker key?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No
Explanation: The encryption key used in creating and setting up import and export jobs in Azure is different than the BitLocker key. BitLocker key is used for drive encryption.
What PowerShell cmdlet can be used to create a new import job?
- A. New-AzStorageAccount
- B. New-AzImportJob
- C. New-AzResourceGroup
- D. New-AzImportExportJob
Answer: D. New-AzImportExportJob
Explanation: “New-AzImportExportJob” PowerShell cmdlet is used to create a new import job in Azure.
Interview Questions
What is the first step to create an import/export job in Azure?
The first step to create an import/export job in Azure is to create a job in the Azure portal.
How many drives can be added to a single import/export job in Azure?
Up to 10 drives can be included in a single import/export job in Azure.
Which PowerShell command should be used to create an Azure import job?
The “New-AzImportExportJob” cmdlet should be used to create an Azure import job.
What is a crucial prerequisite before creating an Azure Import/Export job?
It is crucial to have the Azure Import/Export service ready, a storage account in Azure, and a set of data in the local environment before creating an Azure Import/Export job.
How can you ensure the protection of data during transit in the Azure Import/Export job?
Data should be protected during transit in the Azure Import/Export job by using BitLocker to encrypt the data.
Can you modify an import/export job once it has started in Azure?
No, an import/export job cannot be modified once it has started in Azure.
What executable needs to be run to prepare the hard drive for an Azure Import/Export job?
To prepare the drive, we need to run the WAImportExport.exe tool provided by the Drive Prep Tool in Azure.
What should be done if you have more data to ship than can fit on 10 drives?
If you have more data to ship than can fit on 10 drives during an import/export job, you should create additional import/export jobs.
What is a critical role of journal files while performing import/export jobs in Azure?
Journal files play a critical role in providing the list of data sources and destinations and encryption key details during import/export jobs in Azure.
In Azure Storage, which command Moves Blob across containers within the same storage account?
In Azure Storage, to move Blob across containers within the same storage account, the ‘AzCopy mv’ command is used.
What role does Azure Import/Export service play in the data transfer process?
Azure Import/Export service is used to securely import large amounts of data to Azure Blob storage and Azure Files by shipping disk drives to an Azure datacenter.
What are some of the requirements for drives that are used in an Azure Import/Export job?
The drives used must be 3.5-inch SATA II/III internal drives. They must either be SSD or HDD with a capacity of at least 80 GB. The drives should be formatted using the NTFS or REFS file system.
Can Azure Import/Export service be used to import data to a virtual machine or SQL Server in Azure?
No, Azure Import/Export service only supports importing data to Azure Blob and File Storage, not to a virtual machine or SQL Server in Azure.
What is the primary purpose of the Azure Resource Manager while creating import/export jobs in Azure?
Azure Resource Manager is fundamentally the management layer that enables users to create, update, and delete resources from Azure subscriptions.
What Azure storage services are supported by Azure import/export jobs?
Azure import/export jobs support two storage services – Azure Blob Storage and Azure Files.
extutorials.com