Design storage solutions for relational, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
Includes designing data storage solutions for relational data (Azure SQL, database tiers, scalability, protection), semi-structured and unstructured data (Cosmos DB, Blob Storage, performance vs. cost), and data integration/analysis solutions.
5 minutes
5 Questions
Designing data storage solutions in Azure requires understanding various storage services and selecting the appropriate option based on requirements like performance, scalability, security, and cost. Azure offers multiple storage solutions including Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, Azure Queue Storage, Azure Table Storage, Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and Azure Data Lake Storage. When designing storage solutions, architects must consider data types and access patterns. Blob Storage is ideal for unstructured data like images, videos, and documents, offering hot, cool, and archive tiers for cost optimization. Azure Files provides fully managed file shares accessible via SMB protocol, suitable for lift-and-shift scenarios. For relational data, Azure SQL Database offers managed SQL Server capabilities with built-in high availability and automatic backups. Cosmos DB serves globally distributed applications requiring multi-region replication with multiple consistency levels and support for various APIs including SQL, MongoDB, and Cassandra. Data redundancy options include Locally Redundant Storage (LRS), Zone-Redundant Storage (ZRS), Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS), and Read-Access Geo-Redundant Storage (RA-GRS), each providing different levels of durability and availability. Security considerations include encryption at rest using Microsoft-managed or customer-managed keys, encryption in transit via HTTPS, Azure Private Link for private connectivity, shared access signatures for delegated access, and Azure Active Directory integration for identity-based authentication. Performance optimization involves choosing appropriate storage tiers, implementing caching strategies with Azure Cache for Redis, using Content Delivery Networks for static content, and partitioning strategies for databases. Architects should also consider data lifecycle management policies to automatically transition data between tiers or delete obsolete data. Backup and disaster recovery planning ensures business continuity through Azure Backup, point-in-time restore capabilities, and geo-replication features. Cost management requires analyzing access patterns and selecting appropriate pricing tiers while monitoring usage through Azure Cost Management tools.Designing data storage solutions in Azure requires understanding various storage services and selecting the appropriate option based on requirements like performance, scalability, security, and cost. Azure offers multiple storage solutions including Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, Azure Queue Stor…