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SMB to Azure Files Migration

Architecture

The SMB to Azure Files migration solution provides a comprehensive approach to modernizing file storage infrastructure while maintaining security, performance, and user experience.

Key Components

  • Discovery and assessment tools for existing SMB infrastructure
  • Azure Files infrastructure deployment automation
  • Data migration engines with progress tracking and validation
  • Group Policy automation for seamless user transition
  • Monitoring and health validation tools

Architecture Diagram

SMB to Azure Files Migration Architecture

flowchart TD
    subgraph DISCOVERY ["🔍 DISCOVERY & ASSESSMENT"]
        A["📊 <b>SMB Share Discovery</b><br/><i>Get-SMBShareInventory.ps1</i><br/><small>File Clusters Analysis</small><br/><small>Usage Statistics</small><br/><small>Permission Mapping</small>"]
        B["📋 <b>Assessment & Planning</b><br/><i>Business Impact Analysis</i><br/><small>Criticality Ranking</small><br/><small>Dependency Mapping</small><br/><small>Storage Requirements</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph AZURE_INFRA ["☁️ AZURE INFRASTRUCTURE"]
        C["🏗️ <b>Infrastructure Setup</b><br/><i>ARM Template Deployment</i><br/><small>Storage Accounts</small><br/><small>Private Endpoints</small><br/><small>Performance Tiers</small>"]
        D["🌐 <b>Network Configuration</b><br/><i>Hybrid Connectivity</i><br/><small>ExpressRoute/VPN</small><br/><small>DNS Configuration</small><br/><small>Firewall Rules</small>"]
        G["📁 <b>Azure File Shares</b><br/><i>Premium Storage</i><br/><small>High Performance</small><br/><small>Access Controls</small><br/><small>Quota Management</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph ONPREM_SRC ["🏢 ON-PREMISES SOURCE"]
        E["💾 <b>File Clusters</b><br/><i>Windows Server 2016+</i><br/><small>SMB 3.0 Shares</small><br/><small>NTFS Permissions</small><br/><small>Active User Base</small>"]
        H["🔐 <b>Active Directory</b><br/><i>Identity Management</i><br/><small>Security Groups</small><br/><small>User Accounts</small><br/><small>NTFS ACLs</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph MIGRATION ["🔄 MIGRATION EXECUTION"]
        F["🚚 <b>Data Migration Tools</b><br/><i>Multi-tool Strategy</i><br/><small>AzCopy/RoboCopy</small><br/><small>Azure File Sync</small><br/><small>Bandwidth Management</small>"]
        N["✅ <b>Migration Validation</b><br/><i>Test-MigrationHealth.ps1</i><br/><small>Performance Testing</small><br/><small>Permission Verification</small><br/><small>Integrity Checks</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph IDENTITY ["🔐 IDENTITY INTEGRATION"]
        I["🔄 <b>Azure AD Integration</b><br/><i>Hybrid Identity</i><br/><small>Azure AD Connect</small><br/><small>Azure AD DS Auth</small><br/><small>Identity Sync</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph POLICY ["📜 POLICY MANAGEMENT"]
        J["⚙️ <b>Group Policy Management</b><br/><i>Configuration Control</i><br/><small>Drive Mapping Policies</small><br/><small>Citrix VDI Config</small><br/><small>Windows 10/11 Settings</small>"]
        K["🔄 <b>GPO Updates</b><br/><i>Automated Transition</i><br/><small>UNC Path Changes</small><br/><small>User Group Targeting</small><br/><small>Phased Rollout</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph ENDPOINTS ["💻 END USER SYSTEMS"]
        L["🎯 <b>Citrix Virtual Apps</b><br/><i>VDI Environment</i><br/><small>Published Applications</small><br/><small>StoreFront Config</small><br/><small>Load Balancing</small>"]
        M["💻 <b>Windows Endpoints</b><br/><i>Physical Devices</i><br/><small>Laptop Configuration</small><br/><small>Offline Files</small><br/><small>VPN Connectivity</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph HYBRID ["🔄 HYBRID SERVICES"]
        O["🔄 <b>Azure File Sync</b><br/><i>Hybrid File Services</i><br/><small>Cloud Tiering</small><br/><small>Volume Free Space</small><br/><small>Performance Cache</small>"]
    end
    
    subgraph OPERATIONS ["🔧 OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE"]
        P["📊 <b>Monitoring & Analytics</b><br/><i>Real-time Oversight</i><br/><small>Azure Monitor Alerts</small><br/><small>Log Analytics</small><br/><small>Performance Metrics</small>"]
        Q["💾 <b>Backup & DR</b><br/><i>Data Protection</i><br/><small>Azure Backup</small><br/><small>Point-in-time Recovery</small><br/><small>Cross-region Replication</small>"]
        R["⚙️ <b>Operational Excellence</b><br/><i>Continuous Improvement</i><br/><small>Health Checks</small><br/><small>Support Procedures</small><br/><small>Documentation</small>"]
    end
    
    A --> B
    B --> C
    B --> D
    E --> F
    C --> G
    D --> G
    F --> G
    H --> I
    I --> G
    J --> K
    G --> L
    G --> M
    K --> L
    K --> M
    G --> N
    N --> O
    G --> P
    G --> Q
    P --> R
    
    classDef discoveryNode fill:#e3f2fd,stroke:#0078d4,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    classDef assessmentNode fill:#f3e5f5,stroke:#9c27b0,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    classDef azureNode fill:#e1f5fe,stroke:#00bcd4,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    classDef migrationNode fill:#e8f5e8,stroke:#107c10,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    classDef adNode fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#ff9800,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    classDef userNode fill:#ffebee,stroke:#f44336,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    classDef monitorNode fill:#f1f8e9,stroke:#689f38,stroke-width:3px,color:#000
    
    class A discoveryNode
    class B assessmentNode
    class C,D,G,O azureNode
    class E,F,N migrationNode
    class H,I,J,K adNode
    class L,M userNode
    class P,Q,R monitorNode

Benefits

  • Reduced infrastructure maintenance overhead
  • Improved scalability and global accessibility
  • Enhanced security with Azure Active Directory integration
  • Cost optimization through cloud storage tiers
  • Simplified backup and disaster recovery