Azure Files Remote Access with MyWorkDrive

Azure Files Overview

Microsoft Azure file shares are Windows file shares hosted by Azure. By utilizing Azure Files, companies are relieved of the responsibility of maintaining Windows file server-based file shares.

Azure Files offers fully managed file shares in the cloud that are accessible via the industry standard SMB protocol or via HTTPS over API.

To map drives remotely to Azure file shares requires connecting to port 445 over SMB protocol, which internet providers may block and is only accessible from the same local area network, or via VPN. Businesses will need to maintain VPN tunnels from Azure to each location in addition to VPN gateways for users to access files on the go.

Connect to Azure Files Without a VPN or Port 445 From any Device

• Connect through a Web Based File Manager with your Azure AD/Entra ID credentials from any device (PCs do not need to be joined to the domain).
• Connect using iPhone or Android Apps.
• Use the MyWorkDrive mapped drive client that works over HTTPS (no VPN needed).

Pair MyWorkDrive With Azure for Better Elasticity and Ease of Management

• Durable and highly available cloud storage fully managed by Microsoft.
• Pay-as-you-go storage. Only pay for what you use. Up to 100TB per share.
• Connect to Azure File Shares using HTTPS instead of port 445 without VPN.
• Files are encrypted in transit and at rest.
• Secure access with two factor authentication (2FA) & conditional access policies.
• Use Azure AD/Entra ID Authentication to eliminate the need to maintain Active Directory Domain Controllers.
• Azure File Sync
  • Bi-directional sync between on-premise and Azure file shares.
  • Local caching and cloud tiering. Performance of on-premise storage with scale and elasticity of the cloud.
  • Multi-site sync to have a cache at each branch office with centralized cloud storage.

The Combination of MyWorkDrive and Azure Files is a Great Match!

Option 1: Directly Connect Azure Files with MyWorkDrive over SMB

MyWorkDrive supports connecting to Azure file shares using Azure AD/Entra ID authentication over API or by using Active Directory domain-joined Azure file shares over SMB. In our support article here, we present our authentication options for connecting MyWorkDrive to Azure file shares directly, with MyWorkDrive hosted in Azure using Azure AD/Entra ID authentication over API or by using Active Directory Authentication with SMB.

Option 2: Directly Connect Azure Files with MyWorkDrive over API

MyWorkDrive supports connecting to Azure file shares using Azure AD/Entra ID authentication over API. In our support article here, we present our authentication options for connecting MyWorkDrive to Azure file shares directly with MyWorkDrive hosted in Azure using Azure AD/Entra ID authentication over API with connection string, or by using Entra ID Authentication.

Option 3: Connect Azure File Sync with MyWorkDrive On-Premise

With Azure File Sync multiple locations can be synced from on-premise to Azure Files and remote locations. Using Azure File Sync is another alternative to connect your Active Directory, since NTFS ACLs are synced, in addition to files and folders. Furthermore, Azure File Sync supports preserving, inheriting, and enforcing Microsoft file system NTFS ACLs on all folders and files in a file share.

To connect MyWorkDrive to Azure file shares, simply point them to the local server hosting the sync copy of your Azure file shares. From the perspective of MyWorkDrive, nothing has changed – NTFS permissions and file locks are honored.

Azure File Sync Setup Video.

Azure File Sync extends file services from on-premise to Cloud Storage on Azure file shares and across Windows Servers in multiple locations. When Microsoft engineers interviewed customers, they confirmed that Windows File Shares are still in use for a multitude of reasons. The customer pain points identified include speed of access, control of data, and large storage capacities. Azure File Sync addresses these concerns.

Azure File Sync Key Features

• Bi-Directional Sync – From Windows Server to Azure Cloud Storage with write back capabilities
• Multi-Site Sync – Sync a share across multiple Windows Servers through Azure file shares to Cloud Storage with the ability to cache and edit data in real time at each site.
• Backup of Azure file shares to Azure Backup
• Tiering of Data – Set the maximum data storage capacities for each Windows Server and only replicate the most recent data to each server with the balance stored in Azure file shares in the cloud.

Using MyWorkDrive, Windows file shares can be accessed from any location worldwide over HTTPS (port 443) from any web browser, the MyWorkDrive mapped drive client, or mobile clients.