Explore core concepts of Azure Blob Storage and File Storage with this easy quiz designed to boost your understanding of storage types, features, and scenarios. Strengthen your grasp on storage solutions, security, access, and best practices for managing data in the cloud.
Which type of data is primarily stored using Blob Storage, as opposed to File Storage?
Explanation: Blob Storage is optimized for storing large unstructured files, such as pictures, videos, backups, or documents. Structured relational data tables and databases with strict schemas are usually managed by database services, not blob storage. Operating system files are also not typically stored using Blob Storage. File Storage is better suited for traditional file shares and system files.
What network protocol is primarily supported by File Storage to enable file sharing between devices?
Explanation: File Storage primarily supports SMB, which allows devices to share and access files across a network. FTP is used for transferring files, not sharing in real-time among multiple machines. SMTP is related to email delivery, not file sharing, while HTTP is typically used for web communications rather than network file shares.
Which access tier in Blob Storage is most cost-effective for files that are rarely accessed, such as long-term backups?
Explanation: The Archive access tier is intended for infrequently accessed data and offers the lowest storage cost. Standard and Premium tiers are used for more frequently accessed data and have higher costs. 'Active' is not a recognized access tier in Blob Storage. Using the Archive tier helps save money for long-term data retention.
What is the main purpose of using a Shared Access Signature (SAS) with Blob or File Storage?
Explanation: A Shared Access Signature (SAS) provides granular, time-limited permissions to storage resources without exposing account keys. It does not handle encryption or increase disk size. Monitoring usage is separate from access control. The other options do not describe SAS functionality.
Which feature enables directory and file-like structures within Blob Storage for easier organization?
Explanation: A hierarchical namespace allows Blob Storage to manage data with folder and file paths, similar to traditional file systems. Flat, binary, and linear namespace options do not organize data using folders, making them less suitable for complex file structures. The hierarchical namespace feature improves data management and accessibility.
Which authentication method allows users to securely mount File Storage shares to their devices?
Explanation: Active Directory authentication enables secure, managed access to shared file resources. Anonymous access is unsafe and not commonly used for sensitive storage. ZIP file passwords are unrelated to storage authentication. Credit card authentication is not a recognized security method for storage services.
If you require your storage data to be available even after a regional outage, which redundancy option should you enable?
Explanation: Geo-redundant storage (GRS) automatically copies data across multiple regions for disaster recovery. Local caching only keeps data available temporarily in one location. Single-instance storage and temporary containers do not provide cross-region redundancy. GRS ensures better data durability in case of major outages.
Which use case is best suited for File Storage instead of Blob Storage?
Explanation: File Storage is built to support network shared drives accessible by multiple users or devices. Serving static images and storing video archives are tasks typically optimized by Blob Storage. Database index files are usually stored within specialized database systems, not File Storage shares.
What is the primary purpose of a container in Blob Storage?
Explanation: Containers help group blobs for better organization and to assign specific access policies. Blob Storage does not automatically compress files nor is it used to run virtual machines. Scheduling downloads is a separate operation and not the primary function of containers.
How does default encryption at rest in Blob and File Storage help protect your data?
Explanation: Default encryption at rest ensures that files are encrypted automatically without user intervention, protecting data from unauthorized physical access. Blocking network access, compressing files, or deleting old files are not functions of encryption at rest. The other options do not relate directly to encryption.