FSLogix on Azure Files with ZRS - Cloud Cache needed for HA?

Question

Hi all,

I'm pondering using FSLogix profile containers for non-persistent desktops hosted in a single region in Azure, with the containers located in an SMB share using Azure Files. My question is around HA and resiliency:

I know that FSLogix Cloud Cache is designed to provide that, by propagating all writes to all Providers (e.g. multiple SMB shares) in real time, but if using Azure Files with Zone-Redundant Storage (ZRS) then is Cloud Cache actually necessary? If ZRS replicates a single share to all availability zones in the region, that single share UNC could be specified in the traditional 'VHDLocations' registry value and still provide the same resiliency as Cloud Cache, can it not? Or am I missing something?

Answer 1

@Simon West Cloud Cache’s primary purpose is to keep an active end user session connected to their profile in the event a storage provider fails. ZRS will provide some level of HA, but other issues within the region that could cause profiles to be inaccessible even if storage is online.

I typically recommend to use OneDrive to keep user’s docs highly available as that’s the most important data to protect.

Additional information : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fslogix/cloud-cache-resiliency-availability-cncpt, it talks about being able to have active-active or DR environments. ZRS provides resiliency against zonal failures.

Answer 2

@Simon West Firstly, apologies for the delay in responding here and any inconvenience this issue may have caused.

Cloud Cache is especially good good for cross-region. If ZRS is sufficient for you, they can also use that.

Please let us know if you have any further queries. I’m happy to assist you further.

----------

Please do not forget to and “up-vote” wherever the information provided helps you, this can be beneficial to other community members.