Azure Storage File Share Custom Domain Integration: Step-by-Step Guide

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Introduction:

Azure File Share is a powerful and flexible cloud-based file storage service offered by Microsoft Azure. It allows organizations to store and share files in the cloud, making it an ideal solution for data collaboration and sharing globally. While Azure File Share provides a secure and scalable platform, you can enhance your branding and user experience by adding a custom domain to your file share. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to add a custom domain to Azure File Share

Prerequisites:

Before you get started, ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. Microsoft Azure Subscription: You will need an active Azure subscription.
2. Azure File Share: Create an Azure File Share if you don’t already have one.
3. Azure DNS Zone: Create a DNS Zone if you don’t already have one.
4. Custom Domain: Have access to your custom domain and its DNS records. You can use domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Azure DNS.

Now, let’s dive into adding a custom domain to your Azure File Share.

Step 1: Create a Storage Account

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create a new Azure Storage Account. To do this:

1. Log in to the Azure Portal (https://portal.azure.com).
2. Click on “+ Create a resource.”
3. Search for “Storage account” and select it.
4. Fill in the necessary details like subscription, resource group, storage account name, location, and performance.
5. Click “Review + Create” and then “Create” to create the storage account.
6. Then, Click on “File shares” on the left side menu in Storage Account.
7. Click on “+ File Share”.
8. Fill in the details like name and backup.
9. Click “Review + Create” to create the file share.

Step 2: Configure DNS Settings

Now, you need to configure your DNS settings to point to your Azure Storage Account. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access your domain registrar’s website (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap) and log in to your account.
2. Locate the DNS settings or DNS management section.
3. Add a new CNAME record with the following details:
   Name: Enter your desired subdomain (e.g., files)
   Type: CNAME
   Value: Your Azure Storage File Share URL (you can find this in the Endpoints of your storage account will be like *.file.core.windows.net)
   TTL: Set a suitable time-to-live value, or leave it as default.
4. Save the DNS settings. Please note that DNS changes might take some time to propagate across the internet.

Step 3: Create a DNS Zone

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create a new DNS Zone. To do this:

1. Log in to the Azure Portal (https://portal.azure.com).
2. Click on “+ Create a resource.”
3. Search for “DNS zone” and select it.
4. Fill in the necessary details like subscription, resource group, name, and location.
   Note: The name must be your domain like yourdomain.com
5. Click “Review + Create” to create the file share.

Step 4: Configure DNS Zone Record Set

1. Go to created DNS Zone.
2. Click on “+ Record set”
3. Add a new CNAME record with the following details:
   Name: Enter your desired subdomain (e.g., files)
   Type: CNAME
   Alias: Your Azure Storage File Share URL (eg., *.file.core.windows.net)
   TTL: Set a suitable time-to-live value, or leave it as default.
4. Click “OK” to create a record set.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully added a custom domain to your Azure File Share. Now, you can share files with a branded and user-friendly URL, enhancing your organization’s online presence.

Conclusion

Adding a custom domain to Azure File Share is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your organization’s branding and user experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly integrate your custom domain with Azure File Share, allowing you to share files securely and conveniently in the cloud. This enhancement is particularly valuable for businesses looking to maintain a consistent and professional online presence.

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Thank You!