Implement Azure NetApp Files

Azure NetApp Files is a Microsoft Azure file storage service that you can use to migrate and run the most demanding enterprise file-workloads in the cloud. These include workloads like databases, SAP, and high-performance computing applications with no code-change. Azure NetApp Files uses NetApp’s ONTAP technology, enabling you to get enterprise-grade data management and storage capabilities.

Azure NetApp Files for Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop, formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), delivers a seamless virtual desktop experience. The benefit of implementing Azure NetApp Files with Azure Virtual Desktops includes managing large scale-up and scale-out file systems with ease, elastic scaling to accommodate user growth, and automated storage tiering to reduce costs.

A significant advantage here is performance – with Azure NetApp Files, you can support users running resource-intensive applications. Its built-in snapshot capability also allows for quick file recovery which is a boon for data protection and disaster recovery.

Implementing Azure NetApp Files

Azure NetApp Files implementation involves creating an Azure NetApp Files Account, a capacity pool, and a volume.

Creating an Azure NetApp Files Account

You start by creating an Azure NetApp Files Account in your Azure subscription. It is an Azure resource that provides an identity in Azure for your Azure NetApp Files service. You do this through the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell.

Creating a Capacity Pool

Next, you create a Capacity pool. A capacity pool is a flexible quantity of storage that you purchase and from which you provision volumes. The process is as easy as choosing a name and the allocated size.

Creating a Volume

Lastly, you create your volumes. An Azure NetApp Files volume is a manageable entity of a Capacity pool. Here, you choose the size, the protocol, and a Virtual Network for your volume.

Example:

Here’s an abbreviated example of how to set up Azure NetApp Files using Azure PowerShell:

# Create an Azure NetApp Files Account
New-AzNetAppFilesAccount -ResourceGroupName "myResourceGroup" -Location "westus2" -AccountName "myNetAppAccount"

# Create a volume
New-AzNetAppFilesVolume -ResourceGroupName "myResourceGroup" -AccountName "myNetAppAccount" -PoolName "myCapacityPool" -VolumeName "myVolume" -Location "westus2"

Conclusion

Azure NetApp Files is a powerful service that brings many benefits to enterprises deploying Azure Virtual Desktops, making it pertinent for the AZ-140 exam. It offers enhanced scalability, performance, and cost optimization. Its ease of implementation enables you to quickly set up and manage your file-based workloads in Microsoft Azure.

Practice Test

True or False: Azure NetApp Files is a first-party service provided by Microsoft.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files is a first-party service rendered directly by Microsoft, supporting both SMB and NFS protocols.

Azure NetApp Files service can be used to migrate applications without rewriting the code.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files allows enterprises to run their most demanding file workloads and effectively migrate their applications without the need to rewrite them.

Which of the following can be achieved using Azure NetApp Files?

• A) Azure Active Directory Integration
• B) Site Recovery
• C) Backup and restore features
• D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation: The Azure NetApp Files service provides integration with Azure Active Directory, Site Recovery, and robust backup and restore features.

True or False: Azure NetApp Files does not support Virtual Network Service Endpoints.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files fully supports the Virtual Network Service Endpoints feature to secure data traffic between your Azure Virtual Networks and NetApp Files service.

Single select: What NFS versions does Azure NetApp Files support?

• A) NFSv1
• B) NFSv3
• C) NFSv4
• D) NFSv5

Answer: B) NFSv3

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files supports the NFSv3 protocol.

Which of the following is not a requirement to use Azure NetApp Files?

• A) Subscription to Azure
• B) Azure AD domain services resource
• C) Virtual network peering
• D) On-premises Active Directory domain

Answer: D) On-premises Active Directory domain

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files does not require an on-premises Active Directory Domain.

True or False: With Azure NetApp Files, you cannot replicate data between regions for disaster recovery.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: The Azure NetApp Files Cross-Region Replication feature allows you to replicate data between regions for disaster recovery purposes.

Which of the following can be used for isolating data in Azure NetApp Files?

• A) Volumes
• B) Snapshots
• C) Capacity pools
• D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files hierarchical structure allows data to be isolated at the volume, snapshot, and capacity pool level.

True or False: Data in Azure NetApp files is automatically encrypted.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files automatically encrypts data at rest using Azure-managed keys.

Which authentication method can Azure NetApp Files use for SMB customers?

• A) User name and Password
• B) Azure AD
• C) On-premises AD
• D) All of the Above

Answer: D) All of the Above

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files supports both Azure AD and On-premises AD for SMB customers which can be authenticated using user name and password.

DMZs are employed in Azure NetApp Files for security purposes.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Instead of DMZs, Azure uses Network Security Groups (NSGs) to control inbound and outbound traffic to network interfaces (NICs), VMs, and subnets.

Multiple versions of a dataset can be stored in Azure NetApp Files using what feature?

• A) Blobs
• B) Snapshots
• C) Buckets
• D) Storages

Answer: B) Snapshots

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files uses snapshots to store multiple versions of a dataset.

The SMB protocol supported by Azure NetApp Files is…

• A) SMB 0
• B) SMB 0
• C) SMB 1
• D) SMB 0

Answer: D) SMB 0

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files only support the most recent version of the SMB protocol, SMB

True or False: It’s mandatory to bring your custom DNS server for Azure NetApp files.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: While Azure NetApp Files does support custom DNS servers for specific use cases, it’s not mandatory to bring your own.

Azure NetApp Files is a good choice for migrating what type of workloads?

• A) Databases
• B) SAP
• C) High-performance computing jobs
• D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the Above

Explanation: Azure NetApp Files is ideal for database, SAP, and high-performance computing jobs due to its high speed and low latency.

Interview Questions

What is Azure NetApp Files?

Azure NetApp Files is a Microsoft Azure file storage service built on NetApp technology, giving you the scale and security of Azure with the power and capabilities of NetApp.

What is the primary use of Azure NetApp Files related to Azure Virtual Desktop?

Azure NetApp Files is used to support and scale-out high-performance computing workloads, databases, shared files, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), including Azure Virtual Desktop.

What protocols does Azure NetApp Files support?

Azure NetApp Files supports the NFSv3, NFSv4.1, and SMB 3.1.1 protocols.

What are some of the features of Azure NetApp Files?

Azure NetApp Files offers multiple features such as no capacity planning, high performance, multiple protocols support, data protection, and security and compliance.

How does Azure NetApp Files provide data protection?

Azure NetApp Files provides data protection with snapshot technology and additional backup to different regions.

Can Azure NetApp files be used with Azure Virtual Desktop?

Yes, Azure NetApp files can be used with Azure Virtual Desktop. The combination is especially beneficial for handling large datasets and heavy workloads.

How can Azure NetApp Files benefit the performance of Azure Virtual Desktop?

Azure NetApp Files support high-performance computing. It enables Azure Virtual Desktop to handle high graphics-intensive applications and support more virtual desktops.

Is Azure NetApp Files compliant with ISO standards?

Yes, Azure NetApp Files is compliant with several ISO standards including ISO 27001, 27018, and 22301.

Can you create an Azure NetApp Files account using Azure portal?

Yes, you can create an Azure NetApp Files account using Azure portal. There’s also an option to create it using Azure CLI or Powershell.

What is the minimum capacity volume that can be created with Azure NetApp Files?

The minimum capacity volume that can be created with Azure NetApp Files is 100 GiB.

Does Azure NetApp Files support encryption of data?

Yes, Azure NetApp Files supports encryption of data at rest. It uses Azure Storage Service Encryption for data encryption.

Can Azure NetApp Files be used for disaster recovery?

Yes, with its capability to take snapshots and replicate data to different regions, Azure NetApp Files can be an ideal solution for disaster recovery.

What are the types of replication supported by Azure NetApp Files?

Azure NetApp Files supports both synchronous and asynchronous replication.

Is Azure NetApp Files available in all Azure regions?

No, Azure NetApp Files is not yet available in all Azure regions. Availability can be verified in the product documentation.

Can Azure NetApp Files provide storage for databases?

Yes, Azure NetApp Files can provide storage for a variety of database workloads due to its high performance and reliability.