Specifically for those preparing for the AZ-120 Exam, getting up to speed with it isn’t just an option but a necessity. This article will delve into the configurations required to support migration.
Understanding Storage Types in Azure
The first step in configuring storage is understanding the different types available on Azure.
- Azure Blob Storage: Offers a low-cost option for storing massive amounts of unstructured data like text or binary data. SAP HANA backups can be stored using Azure Blob Storage.
- Azure Disk Storage: Azure Disks are virtual hard disks (VHD). You directly attach one of these to your virtual machines to offer data storage. For SAP HANA data and log volumes we use Premium SSD and Ultra Disks.
- Azure Files: Azure Files offers fully managed file shares in the cloud, accessible from anywhere via the industry standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.
- Azure Queue Storage: Azure Queue Storage is a service for storing large numbers of messages that can be accessed from anywhere in the world via authenticated calls using HTTP or HTTPS.
Optimization and Configuration Techniques
Now that we know the storage types let’s go ahead to understand the recommended configuration to support SAP workload migrations to Azure.
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Azure Blob Storage (Cool or Hot Access Tier with optional Read-access GRS, or RA-GRS):
For the backups of SAP HANA databases, you can configure Azure Blob Storage. After the initial full backup of an SAP HANA database, HANA backup mechanism will save incremental backups. These backups go directly into blob storage, which saves network traffic and compute resources. - Azure Disk Storage: Azure Disk Storage is the recommended option for high-performance SAP HANA workloads on Azure. Depending on the performance requirements, you can choose between Ultra disks, Premium SSDs, and Standard SSDs.
Ultra Disk:
Ultra Disks provide best performance and are best suited for SAP applications and other transactional workloads match well with Ultra Disks. It offers High Throughput and IOPS with extremely low latency.
Premium SSDs:
Premium SSDs are high-performance disks designed to support I/O intensive workloads. These are suitable for SAP HANA databases.
Standard SSDs:
Standard SSDs are cost-effective storage options optimized for workloads that need consistent performance at lower IOPS levels. You can use these for non-production SAP systems like SAP development and test systems.
- Configure throughput units for Azure Files: Azure Files supports two types of provisioning: standard and premium, each with a different number of allocated throughput units. When configuring storage for migration, choose Premium Files if your SAP application servers use Azure Files, to ensure high throughput and consistent low latency for these servers. SAP ASCS/SCS instance can be stored on Azure Files in an HA configuration, enabling failover capability.
To summarize, when planning for SAP workload migrations and setting up storage on Azure, your choices and configuration would largely depend on your specific requirements of performance, throughput, and latency. Understanding these options and how to optimize them for your specific scenario is critical for achieving a successful migration.
Practice Test
Multiple Select: Which of the following Azure storage services support data migration for SAP workloads?
- A) Azure Files
- B) Azure Blob Storage
- C) Azure Disk Storage
- D) Azure Queues
Answer: A) Azure Files, B) Azure Blob Storage, C) Azure Disk Storage
Explanation: Azure Files permits SMB access, Blob Storage allows for large-scale data storage, and Disk Storage can be leveraged for high-performing, resilient disks for Azure VMs. All three can be utilized in SAP workload migration.
True/False: We can’t perform migration operations when configuring storage in Azure.
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure enables you to configure storage for migration of workloads, especially SAP related ones. Azure Migrate is specifically designed for this purpose.
Single Select: What is a prerequisite to migrate on-premises SQL Server database to Azure SQL Database?
- A) Creating a storage account
- B) The Azure PowerShell module
- C) The Azure Storage Migration tool
- D) The SQL Server Management Studio
Answer: A) Creating a storage account
Explanation: Before migration, a storage account must be created to store the BACPAC file which contains the database data.
True/False: Azure Site Recovery is a migration tool used for migrating SAP workloads.
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Site Recovery is indeed used for migrating SAP workloads. It ensures minimal downtime during migration and also provides disaster recovery capabilities.
Multiple Select: Which storage types are available for SAP HANA large instances?
- A) Shared storage
- B) Azure Blob storage
- C) Azure NetApp Files
- D) Azure Managed Disks
Answer: A) Shared storage, D) Azure Managed Disks
Explanation: SAP HANA large instance types support the use of shared storage and Azure Managed Disks to provide high throughput rates and low latency.
True/False: Azure Migrate server assessment tool cannot support the assessment of SAP applications.
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Migrate supports a wide range of scenarios including the assessment of SAP applications. It includes capacity sizing according to usage history and performance data.
Single Select: What is the function of Azure Data Box?
- A) It assists in large scale data migration
- B) It assists in creating storage account
- C) It assists in configuring Azure PowerShell
Answer: A) It assists in large scale data migration
Explanation: Azure Data Box is an appliance provided by Azure for offline data transfer. It helps in situations when moving huge amounts of data over the network isn’t feasible.
True/False: Microsoft does not support the migration of large databases such as SAP HANA to Azure.
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Azure fully supports the migration of large databases, including SAP HANA.
Multiple Select: What are the key benefits of Azure NetApp Files for SAP workload migration?
- A) Migrate at warp speed
- B) Single protocol access
- C) High-performance file shares
- D) Durable and available storage
Answer: A) Migrate at warp speed, C) High-performance file shares, D) Durable and available storage
Explanation: Azure NetApp Files allows fast migration, gives high-performance file shares that can be leveraged for SAP workloads and ensures highly durable and available storage.
True/False: Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) assists in migrating microservices, containerized applications, and legacy applications onto Azure.
Answer: True
Explanation: AKS makes it simple to deploy, run, and scale applications using Docker containers. It greatly aids in migrating different applications onto Azure.
Interview Questions
What kind of storage replicates data three times within a single physical location in Azure?
Locally redundant storage (LRS) replicates data three times within a single physical location in Azure.
What kind of storage would you use to configure an Azure storage account to store SAP data?
To configure an Azure storage account to store SAP data, you would use Azure Premium Storage.
What is Azure Site Recovery (ASR) used for in SAP workload migrations?
Azure Site Recovery (ASR) is used for replicating SAP systems from the source on-premises data center to the target Azure region, helping in SAP workload migrations.
What are the storage options commonly considered for SAP HANA large instances?
For SAP HANA large instances, the storage options commonly considered are Azure NetApp Files or iSCSI direct attached provisioned IOPS storage.
What type of redundancy ensures that your data is stored in two separate Azure regions?
Geo-redundant storage (GRS) ensures that your data is stored in two separate Azure regions.
Which Azure Managed Disk type would you recommend for hosting SAP HANA data and log volumes?
For hosting SAP HANA data and log volumes, we recommend Azure Premium SSD Managed Disks.
What feature does Azure offer to support migration of large amounts of data to Azure?
Azure offers Azure ExpressRoute feature to support the migration of large amounts of data to Azure.
What service could you use to move large volumes of data, if your corporate network bandwidth is limited?
If corporate network bandwidth is limited, you could use Azure Data Box service to move large volumes of data.
What is Azure ExpressRoute?
Azure ExpressRoute is a service that enables you to create private connections between Azure datacenters and infrastructure on your premises or in a colocation environment.
What type of storage replicates your data to a secondary geographic location but does not enable you to read or write from that location?
Geo-redundant storage (GRS) replicates data to a secondary geographic location but does not allow you to read or write from that location.
What storage service provides high throughput, low latency network file shares?
Azure Files provides high throughput and low latency network file shares.
What kind of storage redundancy would you use for a mission-critical SAP application?
For a mission-critical SAP application, Read-accessible geo-redundant storage (RA-GRS) would be the best storage redundancy option.
How might Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) be useful for SAP workloads?
Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) may be useful for SAP workloads as it provides at-rest data encryption, which helps meet organizational security and compliance commitments.
What factors should you consider when determining storage requirements for an SAP system in Azure?
When determining storage requirements for an SAP system in Azure, consider factors like the size of the SAP database, throughput and latency requirements, and data redundancy needs.
What method is recommended for the migration of SAP workloads using Azure Site Recovery (ASR)?
For the migration of SAP workloads, it’s recommended to use the Lift and Shift migration method with Azure Site Recovery (ASR).
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