Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some insights on transitioning our on-premises server setup to Azure. I work for a company that operates in several countries across Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and China). Right now, we have just one server in Hong Kong, hosting a VM for file storage and another for Active Directory (AD), but the AD isn't really utilized properly at this point; it just helps manage user permissions on our file server.
I'm keen on migrating some services to the cloud, but it feels overwhelming with so many options out there. We're currently on the Business Standard license with Office 365.
I looked into Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AAD DS), but I'm worried since the standard version doesn't allow for replicas, which could be an issue. The enterprise version seems quite pricey too.
Additionally, I'm exploring Azure Files, but I've come across mixed reviews regarding latency issues. As a design and construction company, we deal with a lot of DWG files alongside typical office documents, so performance is crucial.
Would it make more sense to set up a VM for a File Server instead? Should we upgrade to Business Premium and potentially eliminate the AD server? What storage options should we consider for optimal performance?
Cost is also a major factor for us, and I'm looking for suggestions that won't break the bank. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
1 Answer
Have you thought about whether you need a classic file share, or could you pivot to using SharePoint Online instead? You should also consider how much storage you're looking to migrate and the current specs of your files server VMs. It can make a big difference!
We really just use the file server for storage, and we're looking at around 5TB. The current specs are basic but adequate for what we need.