REST-based object storage for unstructured data in the cloud
| Type | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Public Cloud Storage Services | Mar 7, 2025 | Download |
| Product | Reviews, tips, and advice from real users | Mar 7, 2025 | Download |
| Comparison | Microsoft Azure Object Storage vs Amazon S3 | Mar 7, 2025 | Download |
| Comparison | Microsoft Azure Object Storage vs Amazon S3 Glacier | Mar 7, 2025 | Download |
| Comparison | Microsoft Azure Object Storage vs Google Cloud Storage | Mar 7, 2025 | Download |
| Title | Rating | Mindshare | Recommending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon S3 Glacier | 4.3 | 17.4% | 90% | 40 interviewsAdd to research |
| Amazon S3 | 4.4 | 11.4% | 98% | 81 interviewsAdd to research |
Microsoft Azure Object Storage was previously known as Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, Azure Object Storage, MS Azure Object Storage.
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We have two types of storage that we are primarily using: Blob storage and file storage. File storage is mostly used for structured data that is consumable by users directly, such as file reports and Excel files. Blob Storage is mainly for binary data, bigger objects, and unorganized data that we manage.
Due to the ease Microsoft Azure Object Storage provides, we don't need to procure the hardware. It gives scalability, even though it is manual, so we don't worry about procuring the hardware again when we need to increase the size. It helps save costs.
One valuable feature of Microsoft Azure Object Storage is that it provides REST API access to your data, allowing easy data consumption. Additionally, it offers encryption for data at rest and in transit as a standard feature, which enhances security. Another key feature is out-of-box storage management, removing the need for us to manage storage capacity and maintenance. Scalability and data redundancy across zones and regions are also noteworthy.
A feature that is missing in Microsoft Azure Object Storage is auto-scaling. It would be great if Microsoft could provide rule-based auto-scaling. Additionally, the assignment of problems to the appropriate team needs improvement as sometimes it goes to a team that is not relevant, leading to delays.
I have been working on object storage and other Microsoft Azure services for almost five years. Overall, I have been with Microsoft for more than six years.
The stability of Microsoft Azure Object Storage is quite good. There was recently a global outage unrelated to Object Storage. Therefore, on a scale of one to ten, I would rate its stability as nine.
Microsoft Azure Object Storage provides seamless scalability and extends real-time storage up to one hundred TB for premium shares. However, it lacks automatic scaling, which would make scalability perfect. Thus, I rate it nine out of ten.
Customer service and support are generally responsive, especially considering problem criticality. While we have on-field POCs for escalation, there can be delays in issue assignment, so there is room for improvement. I rate the support nine out of ten due to some waiting periods.
Positive
Previously, we used on-premises storage solutions like NAS file shares and other storage solutions from Microsoft, such as data storage databases, but not object storage.
The initial setup time is minimal, taking no more than half an hour, provided the code and configuration are ready. We use infrastructure as code to deploy all our services, simplifying the process.
I lead a team of engineers responsible for deployments. Initially, I was involved in deployments, but now my team handles them, ensuring we are well-versed with hands-on experience.
Microsoft Azure Object Storage provides significant financial benefits over time by eliminating the need for hardware procurement and offering scalable storage solutions.
The cost depends on various factors such as the storage class, data size, and number of requests made. There are options like 'pay as you go' and reservations, which offer good discounts for future storage needs. Overall, it is one of Microsoft's more affordable services, and I rate the pricing ten out of ten.
Prior to using Microsoft Azure Object Storage, we utilized on-premises storage solutions like NAS and other Microsoft storage solutions but not object storage.
It is beneficial to use Microsoft Azure Object Storage due to its SaaS or PaaS nature, which offers procurement flexibility, data replication, and high availability.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
