Beyond blob storage, Azure also supports disk storage that is optimized for use with Virtual Machines (VMs). It is one of the resources that is required for Virtual Machines. These disks are stored as Page blobs, which are ideal for random read/write operations—just like a physical hard drive.
Types of Azure Disks
- Premium Disks: Use SSDs (Solid State Drives). Offer high performance and low latency. Suitable for production workloads.
- Standard Disks: Use either HDDs or standard SSDs. Suitable for dev/test and less critical workloads.
- Ultra Disks: Provide extremely high IOPS and throughput. Ideal for data-intensive applications.
Azure supports both unmanaged and managed disks:
- Unmanaged Disks: You manage the storage account that contains the VM disks.
- Managed Disks: Microsoft manages the storage accounts. This is the recommended option for ease of use, scaling, and reliability.
Disks are stored in StorageV2 accounts, which support all performance tiers and access tiers.
Summary
Blob storage and disk storage serve different purposes in Azure. Use Blob Storage for unstructured data and long-term storage, and Disk Storage for VM workloads requiring consistent read/write operations.
Click here for more information about Disk Storage in Azure.
To see more, watch our AZ-900 video course, or go back to our AZ-900 Topic List.
Please click here to find out more about Microsoft’s AZ-900 exam.
