Azure Files Adds Sync and Snapshots

• Azure Files offers elastic file shares supporting Azure-hosted applications and utility use by Azure admins.
• Azure File Sync can speed on-premises access to Azure Files shares by syncing with a Windows Server file share.
• Azure Files snapshots enable read-only file system snapshots that can make Azure Files storage more reliable.

Azure Files provides Microsoft-hosted storage that can be accessed by clients using traditional Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, as well as REST APIs. Azure File Sync and Azure Files snapshots are new features that could be useful for organizations that want expanded uses for Azure Files.

File Shares in Azure

Azure Files works without requiring a VM file server or preallocated storage such as an Azure Disk. The service is often used to host shares used by an application that has ported to Azure VMs, minimizing changes to the application. It can also be used by Azure admins to store and access tools, system images, and resources used for systems management.