A design firm runs Linux render nodes and Windows workstations in Azure, and both must mount the same project volume. The volume must support NFS and SMB on the same data, and Windows users must authenticate against the corporate Active Directory. Which service fits?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Azure NetApp Files supports SMB and NFS on the same volume with Active Directory integration, and it keeps NFSv4.1 ACL behavior consistent for Linux clients. That combination lets Windows and Linux machines share one project volume under directory-backed permissions. An Azure Files SMB share can be mounted from Linux, but it does not provide the NFS-side ACL behavior the render nodes depend on. Blob SFTP gives file-transfer access to object containers without file-system permissions. File Sync extends on-premises servers and does not create a shared volume that cloud VMs mount directly.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The SMB share can be mounted from Linux, but the render nodes need NFS ACL semantics on the same volume, which this share does not provide.
- C. Blob SFTP offers file-transfer access to object containers. Its files do not carry directory-backed ACLs for Windows or Linux users, so the requirement is not met.
- D. File Sync caches on-premises server shares in Azure. It is a sync layer, not a shared cloud volume that cloud VMs mount directly.
Exam tip. NetApp Files is the usual choice when dual-protocol access with directory-backed permissions is required.