/azure-blob-storage

This repository contains tools and scripts for working with Azure Blob Storage, focusing on tasks like managing containers, uploading and downloading files, setting access policies, and automating storage operations in Microsoft Azure environments.

Azure Storage (Blob Storage) Lab

Summary

Azure Storage Accounts enable secure and scalable cloud storage solutions. This lab provides step-by-step guidance on creating a storage account, configuring Blob Storage, and securely managing stored data. With flexible access controls and cost-effective redundancy options, Azure Storage is widely used for applications requiring high availability and durability.

Lab Requirements

  • Azure Account (Free Tier eligible)
  • Internet Access to navigate the Azure Portal
  • Web Browser (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox)
  • Basic Understanding of Azure Storage Concepts (recommended but not required)

What is Blob Storage?

Azure Blob Storage is a highly scalable, cloud-based object storage service designed for unstructured data such as images, videos, documents, and backups. It provides low-latency access, high durability, and cost-efficient storage for applications requiring extensive data storage and retrieval. Blob Storage supports three types of blobs:

  • Block Blobs: Optimized for storing large amounts of unstructured data.
  • Append Blobs: Ideal for logs and append-only data scenarios.
  • Page Blobs: Used for virtual hard disks and frequent read/write operations.

Who

Cloud engineers, IT administrators, and developers managing storage solutions in Azure.

What

This lab demonstrates how to create and configure an Azure Storage Account and a Blob Storage container to store and manage data in the cloud.

When

Used when storing files, backups, application logs, or media in Azure securely and at scale.

Where

Performed in the Azure Portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell.

Why

Azure Storage provides scalable, durable, and cost-effective cloud storage for unstructured data like documents, images, and logs.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create an Azure Storage Account

  1. Navigate to Azure Portal → Storage Accounts.
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  2. Click + Create.
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  3. Select the appropriate Subscription and create or choose an existing Resource Group.

  4. Enter a unique Storage Account name (e.g., mystorageaccountxyz).

  5. Choose Region closest to the users for better performance.

  6. Under Performance Select Standard: Remommended for most scenarios (general-purpose v2 account)

  7. Choose Geo-Redundant storage (GRS) for Redundancy

  8. Click Review + Create → Create.
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Step 2: Create a Blob Storage Container

  1. Open the newly created Storage Account.

  2. Navigate to Containers under Data storage.
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  3. Click + Container, enter a name (e.g., mycontainer), and choose an Access Level:
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Step 3: Upload a File to Blob Storage

  1. Open the Container created earlier.

  2. Click Upload → Select a file (e.g., .txt, .jpg, .csv).
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  3. Configure Blob Type under Advanced (default is Block Blob).
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  4. Click Upload.
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Step 4: Generate a Shared Access Signature (SAS) URL (Optional - Secure Access Sharing)

  1. In the Storage Account, go to Shared Access Signature (SAS).
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  2. Select Permissions (Read, Write, Delete, etc.).

  3. Set an Expiration Time for temporary access.
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  4. Click Generate SAS and Connection String.

  5. Copy the Blob SAS URL and share it for secure file access.

Conclusion

This lab demonstrated how to create an Azure Storage Account, set up a Blob Storage container, and manage data through the Azure Portal. Azure Storage ensures scalability, security, and high availability, making it an ideal solution for cloud storage needs.