Microsoft Azure provides various options for storing data in the cloud environment. One of these options is Azure Blob Storage, which allows you to store a large amount of unstructured data such as images, text, files, and videos. Over time, Microsoft Azure introduces upgrades and new features to their services, and it is recommended to upgrade your storage accounts to take advantage of these improvements.
In this article, we will discuss the steps to upgrade your Azure Blob Storage account from the legacy storage account types (BlobStorage or GPv1) to the latest version, GPv2. The upgrade process is simple and does not require any downtime or data loss.
Prerequisites
Before upgrading your Azure Blob Storage account, there are a few important aspects to consider:
Cost Estimation
It is essential to estimate the cost of using the GPv2 storage account type. GPv2 storage accounts have higher charges compared to legacy account types. To estimate the cost, analyze your data usage pattern, including the size of data stored, data growth pattern, and the total number of reads and writes operations. You can use the Azure Data transfer pricing calculator and Azure storage pricing calculator to estimate the cost based on the gathered data.
Access Tier
Choose the appropriate access tier for your storage account based on the frequency of data access and your requirements. The access tiers available are Hot and Cool. The Hot access tier is the default option, but if your usage is not frequent, you can opt for the Cool tier. Changing the access tier during the upgrade process is free of cost.
Upgrade Process
The upgrade process consists of two parts: creating a legacy Azure Blob Storage account and upgrading it to GPv2.
Create a Legacy Azure Blob Storage Account
- Login to the Azure portal and search for “Storage accounts”.
- Click on “Storage accounts” and then click on the “+Create” option.
- Choose the BlobStorage account type from the dropdown menu.
- Fill in the required details and click on “Review + create”.
- Review the configurations and click on “Create”.
Upgrade Azure Blob Storage Account to GPv2
- Login to the Azure portal and search for “Storage accounts”.
- Identify the target storage account and open its Overview page.
- Click on the “Upgrade” option near the Account kind.
- Choose the desired access tier and click on “Upgrade”.
- Once the upgrade is complete, verify the new account type and access tier in the Overview page.
It is important to note that the upgrade process is irreversible, and you cannot switch back to the previous account type once upgraded.
Conclusion
Upgrading your Azure Blob Storage account type from legacy storage account types (BlobStorage or GPv1) to GPv2 is a straightforward process that can be done without any downtime or data loss. By upgrading, you can take advantage of the latest features and improvements offered by Microsoft Azure. However, it is crucial to consider the cost implications and choose the appropriate access tier for your storage account. Plan the upgrade process carefully and estimate the cost before making a decision.