Cloud Fundamentals
/Intermediate
File Storage (EFS / Azure Files)
Definition
A cloud storage service that mimics traditional network-attached storage (NAS). It allows multiple cloud servers to mount the exact same file system simultaneously over the network.
Explain Like I'm New
A shared network drive for your cloud servers. Server A writes a log file into the drive, and Server B can instantly open and read that exact same file like it was on its own hard drive.
Real World Example
AWS EFS, Azure Files, GCP Filestore. A legacy CMS application requires multiple web servers to share a single 'uploads' directory for user files. They mount an EFS drive to all the web servers simultaneously.
Common Use Cases
- •Legacy application migrations
- •Shared configuration files
- •Content management systems
Interview Questions
basic
- Can multiple virtual machines connect to a File Storage drive at the exact same time?
intermediate
- How does File Storage (EFS) differ from Block Storage (EBS) regarding multi-instance mounting?