In the former blog post “step by step Windows Server 2019 File Server clustering With powershell or GUI #Cluster #HA #Azure #WindowsAdminCenter #WindowsServer2019” I created a File share on a Cluster to make the share HA. This is more the traditional way to make the share HA. But what if you have multiple locations and you want to use this share in Azure. Big internal lines between the Datacenter and copy the files to Azure (DFS) method. but that's old. Better use the Azure File Sync option the files are synced to all the Server and available in Azure. Better and faster.
#bettertogether
With Azure File Sync , shares can be replicated on-premises or in Azure and accessed through SMB or NFS shares on Windows Server. Azure File Sync is useful for scenarios in which data needs to be accessed and modified far away from an Azure datacenter, such as in a branch office scenario. Data may be replicated between multiple Windows Server endpoints, such as between multiple branch offices. Azure File Sync transforms Windows Server into a quick cache of your Azure file share. You can use any protocol that's available on Windows Server to access your data locally, including SMB, NFS, and FTPS. You can have as many caches as you need across the world.
To get started with the Azure File Sync we need a Storage account in Azure.
We create a storage account in Azure.
Remember this works only on Windows Servers ! System Requirements:
- A server running Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019:Version
Supported SKUs
Supported deployment optionsWindows Server 2019
Datacenter and Standard
Full (server with a UI)Windows Server 2016
Datacenter and Standard
Full (server with a UI)Windows Server 2012 R2
Datacenter and Standard
Full (server with a UI)
Now that the storage account is created we are starting with the Azure File Sync creation in Azure.
Name the Storage Sync Service , and create a resource group.
The next step is register the Onpremise server to Azure with the Azure File Sync Agent
Azure File Sync Agent download https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=858257
The installation is in two steps.
- Installing the agent
- Configuring the Agent
After the download install the Agent on the File server, As I use a Cluster install the Agent on every node of the Cluster.
Now that the agent is installed the Second wizard pops up for the configuration and if needed a update.
So far so good. As the Agent is connecting to Azure there are some additional components needed.
As this Cluster was a fresh installation and I did not used the PowerShell command for Azure here I need to install the AzureRM modules (or AZ module)
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=856959
Installing and updating the modules.
Install-Module -Name AzureRM –AllowClobber
With this command you can see the current Powershell version
Get-Module -Name AzureRM -List | select Name,Version
Now that the PowerShell commands are installed we can refresh the page and the installation continues
If you are using a CSP subscription in Azure then you need to set this check box. and use your tenant ID
In all other subscriptions keep this default
Pick the right Resource group the one with the created Storage Sync services in it. else the field will be empty.
Select a resource group that contains a Storage Sync Service, or use the Azure portal to create one in this resource group.
When this process is done we can configure the rest in the Azure portal.
As you can see the Cluster CNO object is named here
In the pane that opens, enter the following information to create a sync group with a cloud endpoint:
- Sync group name: The name of the sync group to be created. This name must be unique within the Storage Sync Service, but can be any name that is logical for you.
- Subscription: The subscription where you deployed the Storage Sync Service.
- Storage account: If you select Select storage account, another pane appears in which you can select the storage account that has the Azure file share that you want to sync with.
- Azure file share: The name of the Azure file share with which you want to sync.
Next is creating the Sync group.
Pick a name for the Sync group name. and the proper Storage account that we created earlier. In this storage account we did not create a File share this is needed to hold the Files. so the azure file share check box is not showing you anything.
Go the the storage account and create a File share
With this created the creation of the Sync group can be completed.
Next step is creating some endpoints. this means bind the local share to the services and sync this to the Azure storage account share.
Adding the endpoint and pick the registered server and the file share that will be synced.
If you want to enable cloud Tiering and fill in the values. In this demo I don't use this.
Note:
Only NTFS volumes are supported. ReFS, FAT, FAT32, and other file systems are not supported.
Failover Clustering
Windows Server Failover Clustering is supported by Azure File Sync for the “File Server for general use” deployment option. Failover Clustering is not supported on “Scale-Out File Server for application data” (SOFS) or on Clustered Shared Volumes (CSVs).
The Azure File Sync agent must be installed on every node in a Failover Cluster for sync to work correctly.
In my demo the Share is not listed, I already know why, As I used ReFS for the cluster disk.
This can be painful as you need to format that disk and move all the data to a temp location.
After changing the disk format and a refresh you can see that the deployment is pending and working.
After this you have a full Hybrid file share Fully redundant on premise and a off load to Azure.
As last the best option to get the data into this HA file share is using the Windows Admin Center
In Windows Admin Center there is a great options Storage Migration Services
Opening Windows admin Center and select the source this will be scanned and when done the files can be migrated. (the scanning can take some time)
When the scanning is done the files and shares are listed. more info can be found here https://youtu.be/WCWxAp27ERk
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