Implement Azure NetApp Files

Azure NetApp Files is a fully managed Azure service that provides highly available and performant file storage. It is an ideal solution for businesses that require shared file storage with low latency and high throughput. In this article, we will explore how to implement Azure NetApp Files and leverage its capabilities in the context of configuring and operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.

Step 1: Create an Azure NetApp Files account

1. Log in to the Azure portal (https://portal.azure.com).
2. In the left-hand menu, click on “Create a resource”.
3. Search for “Azure NetApp Files” and select it from the results.
4. Click on “Create”.
5. Provide the required information, such as account name, resource group, subscription, and region.
6. Specify the capacity pool settings, such as the pool name, size, and service level. The service level determines the performance characteristics of the pool (Standard or Premium).
7. Once you have entered all the required information, click on “Review + Create” and then “Create” to create the Azure NetApp Files account.

Step 2: Create a capacity pool

1. In the Azure portal, navigate to your Azure NetApp Files account.
2. In the left-hand menu, click on “Capacity pools”.
3. Click on “Add” to create a new capacity pool.
4. Provide the required information, such as the pool name, size, service level, and volume settings.
5. Click on “Review + Create” and then “Create” to create the capacity pool.

Step 3: Create a volume and a file share

1. In the Azure portal, navigate to your Azure NetApp Files account.
2. In the left-hand menu, click on “Volumes”.
3. Click on “Add” to create a new volume.
4. Provide the required information, such as the volume name, pool details, size, and export policy.
5. Click on “Review + Create” and then “Create” to create the volume.
6. Once the volume is created, click on its name to view its details.
7. In the volume details page, click on “File shares”.
8. Click on “Add” to create a new file share.
9. Provide the required information, such as the file share name, quota size, and protocol settings.
10. Click on “Review + Create” and then “Create” to create the file share.

Step 4: Mount the file share in Azure Virtual Desktop

1. Log in to the Azure portal.
2. In the left-hand menu, search for and select “Azure Virtual Desktop”.
3. Navigate to the “Host pools” section.
4. Select the host pool where you want to mount the file share.
5. Under the “Settings” tab, click on “User profile disks”.
6. Click on “Add user profile disk” or “Edit user profile disk” depending on your requirements.
7. In the “Profile container” field, specify the path to the Azure NetApp Files file share using the following format: \\[account-name].file.core.windows.net\[file-share-name].
8. Provide the required credentials to access the file share.
9. Save the changes and wait for the profile container to be mounted.

Congratulations! You have successfully implemented Azure NetApp Files for Azure Virtual Desktop. Users can now access their files and folders stored in the file share with ease. Azure NetApp Files provides a reliable and performant storage solution, ensuring that your Azure Virtual Desktop environment runs efficiently.

Note: The steps provided above are a basic implementation guide. Depending on your specific requirements and environment, additional configuration and customization might be necessary.

Remember, Azure NetApp Files offers a wide range of features and capabilities beyond what is covered in this article. It is recommended to consult the official Microsoft documentation for detailed guidance on configuring and operating Azure NetApp Files in the context of Azure Virtual Desktop.