Azure Data Storage Options

You’re thinking of storing your data in the cloud to solve your online learning portal’s storage problem. However, security, backup, and disaster recovery are all on your mind. You’re also concerned about how tough it will be to handle data stored in the cloud. So, here’s what you should be aware of. Cloud-based, secure, and scalable data storage alternatives are available through Azure. Its features solve the major issues with cloud storage and give you a dependable and long-lasting storage solution.

Here are some of the important benefits of Azure data storage:

Automated backup and recovery: mitigates the risk of losing your data if there is any unforeseen failure or interruption.
Replication across the globe: copies your data to protect it against any planned or unplanned events, such as scheduled maintenance or hardware failures. You can choose to replicate your data at multiple locations across the globe.
Support for data analytics: supports performing analytics on your data consumption.
Encryption capabilities: data encrypts to make it highly secure; you also have tight control over who can access the data.
Multiple data types: Azure can store almost any type of data you need. It can handle video files, text files, and even large binary files like virtual hard disks. It also has many options for your relational and NoSQL data.
Data storage in virtual disks: Azure also has the capability of storing up to 8 TB of data in its virtual disks. This is a significant capability when you’re storing heavy data such as videos and simulations.
Storage tiers: storage tiers to prioritize access to data based on frequently used versus rarely used information.

Types of data

There are three primary types of data that Azure Storage is designed to hold.

Structured data:

Structured data is data that follows a schema and has the same fields or attributes throughout.
This may be put in a table with rows and columns in a database. Also, keys show how data in one row of one table relates to data in another row of another table.
Because the data’s schema specifies the table of data, the columns in the table, and the explicit link between the two, structured data is also known as relational data.
Structured data is simple to input, query, and analyse because it is well-organized.
The data is all in the same format. Sensor data and financial data are examples of structured data.

Semi-structured data:
- Semi-structured data doesn’t fit neatly into tables, rows, and columns.
- Instead, semi-structured data uses tags or keys that organize and provide a hierarchy for the data. And, it is also referred to as non-relational or NoSQL data.
Unstructured data:

Unstructured data refers to information that lacks a defined structure. This also implies that the types of data it may store are unrestricted.
A blob can, for example, store a PDF document, a JPG picture, a JSON file, video material, and so forth. As a result, as firms strive to tap into new data sources, unstructured data is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Azure Data Storage meets Business Storage Needs

Looking at the benefits of Azure data storage, you understand that it offers the best options for storing your learning portal. Now let’s explore the benefits and options in detail to see how it fits your business needs. How Azure data storage can meet your business storage needs.

There are various Azure storage options that accommodate specific types of data storage needs.

Azure SQL Database

Azure SQL Database is a relational database as a service (DaaS) built on the Microsoft SQL Server database engine’s most recent stable version. SQL Database is a high-performance, dependable, manageable, and secure database.
The service use the Microsoft Data Transfer Assistant to provide evaluation reports with recommendations to assist you in making the necessary adjustments before executing a migration. You’re ready to start the migration procedure once you’ve assessed the situation and completed any necessary remedies.
The Azure Database Migration Service takes care of everything. Changing the connection string in your applications is all it takes. The following diagram depicts the sorts of data that would be stored in an Azure SQL database in the online learning portal scenario.

Azure Cosmos DB

Cosmos DB is a globally distributed database service provided by Azure. It offers schema-less data, allowing you to create extremely responsive, Always On apps that can handle continuously changing data. This functionality may be used to store data that is constantly updated and maintained by people all around the world.
A example Azure Cosmos DB database is shown below, which is used to store data that is accessed by individuals all over the world.

Azure Blob storage

Because Azure Blob Storage is unstructured, there are no limitations on the types of data it may store. Blobs are scalable, and programmes interact with them in the same way they interact with files on a disc, such as reading and writing data.
Blobs aren’t confined to standard file types. A blob may hold terabytes of binary data streamed from a scientific instrument, an encrypted message for another app, or data in a bespoke format for a new app you’re working on.
Large video or music files may be streamed straight to a user’s browser from anywhere in the globe using Azure Blob storage. Backup, disaster recovery, and archiving data are all stored in blob storage. For virtual computers, it has the capacity to store up to 8 TB of data. The diagram below illustrates an example of how Azure blob storage may be used.

Azure Data Lake Storage

You may use the Data Lake function to analyse your data use and generate reports. A data lake is a vast storage facility for both organised and unstructured data.
The scalability and affordability benefits of object storage are combined with the dependability and performance of Big Data file system capabilities in Azure Data Lake Storage. The diagram below demonstrates how Azure Data Lake stores and makes all of your company data available for analysis.

Azure Files

Azure Files provides fully managed cloud file sharing that use the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol for access.
Cloud and on-premises installations of Windows, Linux, and macOS may all mount these shares at the same time. Applications operating on Azure virtual machines or cloud services can mount a file storage share to access data in the same way that a desktop application would mount a standard SMB share.
The diagram below demonstrates how Azure Files may be used to exchange data across two different locations. Azure Files also use the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, which ensures that data is secured both in transit and at rest.

Azure Queue

This is a service that allows you to save a big number of messages and access them from anywhere in the globe.
Azure Queue may be used to create flexible apps and distinct functions for increased durability under huge workloads. When the components of an application are decoupled, they may scale independently.
Queue storage allows application components to communicate asynchronously, whether they are operating in the cloud, on the desktop, on-premises, or on mobile devices.
One or more transmitter components and one or more reception components are usually present. Receiver components collect messages from the front of the queue for processing, while sender components add messages to the queue. Multiple sender apps are shown adding messages to the Azure Queue, and one receiver application is shown getting the messages.

Disk Storage

Disk storage allows virtual machines, apps, and other services to access and use discs as needed, just as they would in an on-premises environment. This enables data to be continuously saved and accessed from a virtual hard disc connected to the computer.
Solid-state drives (SSDs) and traditional spinning hard disc drives (HDDs) come in a variety of sizes and performance levels, with differing performance capabilities.
Standard SSD and HDD drives may be used for less critical workloads in VMs, whereas premium SSD discs can be used for mission-critical production applications. With an industry-leading ZERO percent yearly failure rate, Azure Disks have continuously demonstrated enterprise-grade durability.
The graphic below demonstrates an Azure virtual machine with many drives for storing different types of data.

Comparison between Azure data storage and on-premises storage

Let’s look at how Azure data storage varies from on-premises storage now that you’ve learned about its benefits and features. The storage and management of data on local hardware and servers is referred to as “on-premises.” When comparing on-premises and Azure data storage, there are various aspects to consider.

Cost effectiveness

An on-premises storage solution necessitates the purchase, installation, configuration, and maintenance of specialised hardware. This can be a substantial upfront expenditure (or capital cost). Changes in requirements may necessitate the purchase of new hardware. Your hardware must be able to handle peak demand, which implies it may be idle or underutilised during non-peak hours.
Azure data storage has a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which makes it more desirable to enterprises as an ongoing operational expense rather than an upfront capital investment. It’s also scalable, so you can scale up or down depending on demand, and scale down when demand is low. You only pay for data services when you use them.

Reliability

Data backup, load balancing, and disaster recovery solutions are all required for on-premises storage. These can be difficult and costly, since they frequently require dedicated servers, which necessitate a large investment in both hardware and IT staff.
Data backup, load balancing, disaster recovery, and data replication are all capabilities provided by Azure data storage to assure data safety and high availability.

Storage types

A solution may necessitate the use of numerous storage types, such as file and database storage. For each storage type, an on-premises strategy frequently need many servers and administrative tools.
Distributed access and tiered storage are two of the storage choices available in Azure data storage. This allows you to combine a variety of storage technologies to provide the optimal storage option for each component of your system.

Agility

Technology and requirements evolve. In the case of an on-premises implementation, this might include procuring and installing new servers and infrastructure components, which is a time-consuming and costly process.
Azure data storage allows you to establish new services in a matter of minutes. This adaptability enables you to swiftly switch storage back-ends without requiring a substantial hardware investment.
The diagram below depicts the differences between on-premises and Azure data storage.

For more on a Tutorial visit – Microsoft Azure Fundamental (AZ-900)