Use OneDrive with Azure File Sync

Question

I want to link Microsoft OneDrive to Microsoft Azure file services.

My employee "personal folders" are already in the cloud in the file share. it's just not showing up on the Microsoft side when the user clicks on one drive obv.

So I really need a pointer for the Cloud OneDrive to look to Cloud file sync or for Cloud file sync to two way sync the data back and forth between the two systems.

Hopefully I am making sense?

Really just a one to one mapping. "X" employee folder in azure file sync <----sync----> OneDrive I would prefer a "folder redirect" just save on bandwidth but any solution is better than no solution.

Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

We are across a similar scenario and have been trying to look at this from various angles with various tech for several years.

We are currently looking at GoodSync which can link between a file server on prem and Sharepoint for example which would allow you to use onedrive to sync desktops.

Happy to share notes on success/failure?

Russell

Answer 2

@James
Azure File Sync is a service that allows you to cache a number of Azure file shares on an on-premises Windows Server or cloud VM. As such it does not support syncing between OneDrive and Azure Files. Have you considered using Azure Files and mounting it on the machines removing the need for OneDrive altogether?

For OneDrive specific support I recommend you post on the dedicated Microsoft 365 and Office forum.

------------------

Please don’t forget to "Accept the answer" and “up-vote” wherever the information provided helps you, this can be beneficial to other community members.

Answer 3

Yes, but we already have the files cached internally as Azure file sync does a great job of this for multiple datacenters and branch offices. What it doesn't do it with Teams and other Microsoft Eco systems it doesn't make these users "home drives" easy to access without have the exact same data copied to multiple places.

For instance, when a user within Teams clicks on the "Files" tab (which is really just a redirect to their Office365 OneDrive share) it will not show anything because these "home drive" folders live is Azure File Sync.

There are 3rd party programs that do this type of thing (for internal to onedrive but these are not real time and are clunky and lock files down in sharepoint etc plus they can proxy out to other places if you are not careful), but I thought surely Microsoft would have a way within their own eco system to make a folder redirect or a 2-way real-time sync simple when customers are paying for both storage outlets.

Sounds like this just doesn't exist? I surely can't be the only one that has thought of this. OneDrive sync app can be messy in a vdi environment and cause unnecessary caching problems in a non persistent environment.

If you are saying it can't be done you are the expert. It just seems so simple, I just have a hard time thinking Microsoft hasn't crossed this road.

Thank you by the way for your time.