With Azure File Sync we can make on-premises windows server to act as a cache copy holder for your Azure file share.  It allows users to access files locally using protocol such as SMB, NFS and FTPS. In this blog we going to look in to Azure file sync implementation.

Before we start configuration, we need to familiarizes with some terms associated with this feature. 

Azure File Sync Agent

It is an agent which we need to install in on-premises windows server in order to enable sync with Azure file share. It includes three components, 

1. FileSyncSvc.exe – This is the service responsible for monitoring changes in local server initiate sync with Azure file share. 

2. StorageSync.sys – This component is responsible for tiering files to Azure files. Cloud tiering is additional feature of Azure File Sync. It can use with not frequently used files greater than 64Kb. When this enabled, local file replaced with url to files in Azure file share. When user access it, in background it recalls the file from Azure file share. End user will not have any difference experience as it all happens in back end. 

3. PowerShell cmdlets – This helps to manage Microsoft.StorageSync Azure resource provider using PowerShell commands. These cmdlet files are located in

C:\Program Files\Azure\StorageSyncAgent\StorageSync.Management.PowerShell.Cmdlets.dll

C:\Program Files\Azure\StorageSyncAgent\StorageSync.Management.ServerCmdlets.dll

This agent is only supported in Windows server 2012 R2 / 2016 standard and datacenter versions only. It is not supported on core version either. 

Storage Sync