Azure Files: Evolution, Architecture, and Cloud-Scale Performance

Explore a 47-minute technical talk that delves into Microsoft Azure's managed file shares cloud service, focusing on its architectural evolution and advanced features. Learn how Azure Files delivers SMB3, NFS4.1, and REST-based access while maintaining high performance and scalability without relying on conventional file systems. Discover the implementation of availability and reliability guarantees in the face of hardware failures, the utilization of SMB3's Continuous Availability features, and the approach to cloud-scale security. Examine recent feature additions, engineering challenges in schema modifications, and data manipulation while maintaining petabyte-scale access and application compatibility. Understand the significance of write request acknowledgments, state reconstruction during client reconnections, and customer-centric challenge solutions. Gain insights into building fully managed file shares on non-conventional file systems, managing durable handle state commitments, and meeting modern public cloud expectations through the perspective of both engineers and customers.