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The Azure Storage platform is the Microsoft cloud storage solution for modern data storage scenarios.
The Azure Storage platform includes the following data services:
- Azure Blob Storage: A massively scalable object store for text and binary data. Also includes support for big data analytics through Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
- Azure Files: Managed file shares for cloud or on-premises deployments.
- Azure NetApp Files: An Azure native, first-party, enterprise-class, high-performance file storage service.
- Azure Queue Storage: A messaging store for reliable messaging between application components.
- Azure Table Storage: A NoSQL store for schemaless storage of structured data.
- Azure Disk Storage: Block-level storage volumes for Azure VMs.
If you're new to storage on Azure, the best way to learn more is Microsoft Learn training. This free online platform provides interactive learning for Microsoft products and more. Check out the Store data in Azure learning path.
Choose the storage approach that best meets your needs and then create an account. For more information, see Storage account overview. For information about Azure NetApp Files, see Storage hierarchy of Azure NetApp Files.
Be sure you understand security and reliability. See these articles:
- Azure Storage encryption for data at rest
- Use private endpoints - Azure Storage
- Data redundancy - Azure Storage
- Disaster recovery and storage account failover - Azure Storage
- Understand data encryption in Azure NetApp Files
- Understand data protection and disaster recovery options in Azure NetApp Files
For information about migrating existing data, see the Azure Storage migration guide.
Depending on the storage technology you use, see the following best practices resources:
- Performance and scalability checklist for Blob Storage
- Best practices for using Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
- Planning for an Azure Files deployment
- Performance and scalability checklist for Queue Storage
- Azure Storage table design patterns
- Solution architectures using Azure NetApp Files
- Performance considerations for Azure NetApp Files
See the following guides for information about Blob Storage:
See the following guides for information about Data Lake Storage:
- Best practices for using Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
- Azure Policy Regulatory Compliance controls for Azure Data Lake Storage Gen1
See the following guides for information about Azure Files:
- Planning for an Azure Files deployment
- Overview of Azure Files identity-based authentication options for SMB access
- Disaster recovery and storage account failover
- About Azure file share backup
See the following guides for information about Azure NetApp Files:
- Solution architectures using Azure NetApp Files
- Storage hierarchy of Azure NetApp Files
- Service levels for Azure NetApp Files
- Understand data protection and disaster recovery options in Azure NetApp Files
- Guidelines for Azure NetApp Files network planning
- Quickstart: Set up Azure NetApp Files and NFS volume
See the following guides for information about Queue Storage:
- Authorize access to queues using Microsoft Entra ID
- Performance and scalability checklist for Queue Storage
See the following guides for information about Table Storage:
- Authorize access to tables using Microsoft Entra ID (preview)
- Performance and scalability checklist for Table storage
- Design scalable and performant tables
- Design for querying
See the following guides for information about Azure managed disks:
- Server-side encryption of Azure Disk Storage
- Azure Disk Encryption for Windows VMs
- Azure premium storage: design for high performance
- Scalability and performance targets for VM disks
Get the latest updates on Azure Storage products and features.
To plan for your storage needs, see Review your storage options.
Here are a few sample implementations of storage on Azure:
- Using Azure file shares in a hybrid environment
- Azure files accessed on-premises and secured by AD DS
- Enterprise file shares with disaster recovery
- Hybrid file services
See more storage examples in the Azure Architecture Center.
These articles provide service mapping and comparison between Azure and other cloud services. They can help you ramp up quickly on Azure.
Additional resources
Training
Learning path
Architect storage infrastructure in Azure learning path - Training
Learn how to architect storage solutions for your applications in Azure.
Certification
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals - Certifications
Demonstrate foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, plus Azure management and governance features and tools.
Documentation
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Choose an Azure storage service - Azure Architecture Center
Use this guide to decide which Azure storage service best suits your application.
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Introduction to Azure Storage - Cloud storage on Azure
The Azure Storage platform is Microsoft's cloud storage solution. Azure Storage provides highly available, secure, durable, massively scalable, and redundant storage for data objects in the cloud. Learn about the services available in Azure Storage and how you can use them in your applications, services, or enterprise solutions.
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Architecture Best Practices for Azure Blob Storage - Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework
See Azure Well-Architected Framework design considerations and configuration recommendations that are relevant to Azure Blob Storage.
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About Blob (object) storage - Azure Storage
Azure Blob storage stores massive amounts of unstructured object data, such as text or binary data. Blob storage also supports Azure Data Lake Storage for big data analytics.