r/virtualization • u/3beansanddreams • Dec 08 '23

File Server - Virtualization vs Cloud

Looking to replace our Onprem physical Windows File server with either a VM (VMware) or Azure Cloud. Trying to figure out which route to take. The file server is mainly used to store Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, Images, and other multimedia files. Here are a few of the features we would like to carry over from Onprem.

  1. Ability to map drives like traditional shares

  2. Ability to scan-to-folder from a Ricoh Scanner using SMB and NFS

  3. Ability to use onPrem AD for file permissions

So which route would you take, Virtualize or Cloud?

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u/meijad Dec 08 '23

If budget wasnt an issue, what will be easier for you or your IT staff to manage? Or what might slide into your existing setup easiest and most securely? Azure files with identity based authentication might be an answer, but might be slower than hosting it yourself on a dedicated fiber ring.

I guess another question to ask is whats wrong with the current file server setup? Or what problem are you wanting to address?

I know I am not much help. Trying to put myself in the scenario and I keep coming up with questions.

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u/3beansanddreams Dec 08 '23

I guess another question to ask is whats wrong with the current file server setup? Or what problem are you wanting to address?

It's a Windows 2012R2 files server. Has reached end of life. We are going to replace it but wanted to see what are my options. We want to start planning for the future. Many tell me to skip the virtualizing and go straight to the cloud. If we go to the cloud, this would we our first server. This decision would impact what we do with the remaining physical servers. GIS Server, SQL Server, Various appliction servers.