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