Azure storage services
📘Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
In Azure, storage accounts are the foundation for storing data. When you want to store any kind of data—like files, databases, backups, or logs—you first create a storage account. Think of a storage account as a container that gives you a secure place to store your data and decide how it should be stored and managed.
Types of Azure Storage Accounts
Azure provides different types of storage accounts, each optimized for different use cases. Choosing the right type is important for performance, cost, and capabilities.
The main types of storage accounts are:
1. General-purpose v2 (GPv2)
- Most commonly used storage account.
- Supports all storage types: blobs, files, queues, and tables.
- Supports hot, cool, and archive tiers for blobs.
- Provides the latest Azure storage features.
- Recommended for most new applications.
Use case:
- You have a web app storing user files (blobs), logs (queues), and configuration (tables). GPv2 can handle all of these in one account.
2. General-purpose v1 (GPv1)
- Older version of general-purpose accounts.
- Supports all storage types, but does not support the latest features.
- May be cheaper in some storage scenarios, but slower and less flexible.
- Microsoft recommends GPv2 for new deployments.
Use case:
- Rarely used now; only in legacy systems that were already using GPv1.
3. Blob storage account
- Optimized only for storing blobs (binary large objects, like images, videos, or backups).
- Supports hot and cool tiers, but not archive tier directly.
- Does not support queues or tables.
- Best for storing large amounts of unstructured data.
Use case:
- A company storing backup images or video files that are accessed frequently or infrequently.
4. BlockBlobStorage
- Specialized storage account for high-performance block blobs.
- Supports Premium performance tier (very fast).
- Useful when low latency and high throughput is required.
- Only supports block blobs, not page blobs, files, or queues.
Use case:
- High-performance workloads like video streaming or large database backups that need fast read/write speed.
5. FileStorage
- Optimized for Azure Files, which are shared network files.
- Supports Premium performance with SSDs.
- Useful for applications that need shared file storage over SMB/NFS protocols.
Use case:
- A group of virtual machines sharing configuration files or storing logs in a centralized location.
6. Premium Page Blob Storage
- Designed for high-performance disks, mainly used by Azure Virtual Machines.
- Page blobs store random-access data, like the virtual hard disk (VHD) for a VM.
- Premium performance uses SSD storage for faster performance.
Use case:
- VM operating system disks, high-performance database workloads.
7. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
- Optimized for big data analytics and data lakes.
- Built on GPv2, but adds hierarchical namespace for organizing massive amounts of files efficiently.
- Supports analytics tools like Azure Databricks or HDInsight.
Use case:
- Storing and analyzing large datasets, like logs from multiple systems, IoT sensor data, or financial transactions.
Key Differences and Summary
| Storage Account Type | Data Type Supported | Performance Tier | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPv2 | Blobs, files, queues, tables | Standard/Premium | Most applications, flexible, cost-efficient |
| GPv1 | Blobs, files, queues, tables | Standard | Legacy applications |
| Blob Storage | Blobs only | Hot / Cool | Large object storage, backups, media |
| BlockBlobStorage | Block blobs only | Premium | High-performance workloads, fast blob storage |
| FileStorage | Azure Files | Premium | Shared file storage for apps, VMs |
| Premium Page Blob | Page blobs | Premium SSD | VM disks, high-performance databases |
| Data Lake Storage Gen2 | Blobs with hierarchical data | Standard / Premium | Big data analytics, data lakes |
Important Exam Tips for AZ-900
- Know that GPv2 is the default and recommended storage account type for most scenarios.
- Blob storage accounts are specifically for unstructured data like videos, images, or backups.
- Premium vs Standard:
- Premium = high performance (SSD)
- Standard = cost-effective, slower (HDD)
- Data Lake Storage Gen2 is for big data analytics and hierarchical file structures.
- Remember the difference between block blobs (large sequential files) and page blobs (random-access files like VM disks).
✅ Exam Focus:
You might get questions like:
- “Which storage account type should you use for a high-performance VM disk?” → Premium Page Blob
- “Which storage account supports all storage types and latest features?” → GPv2
- “Which account is optimized for big data analytics?” → Data Lake Storage Gen2
