1# Azure Storage
2 
3Scalable cloud storage for blobs, files, queues, and tables.
4 
5## When to Use
6 
7- Blob storage (files, images, videos)
8- File shares (SMB/NFS)
9- Queue storage (simple messaging)
10- Table storage (NoSQL key-value)
11- Static website hosting
12 
13## Required Supporting Resources
14 
15| Resource | Purpose |
16|----------|---------|
17| None required | Storage is self-contained |
18| Key Vault | Store connection strings |
19| Private Endpoint | Secure access (optional) |
20 
21## SKU Selection
22 
23| SKU | Replication | Use Case |
24|-----|-------------|----------|
25| Standard_LRS | Local (3 copies) | Dev/test, non-critical |
26| Standard_ZRS | Zone-redundant | Production, regional HA |
27| Standard_GRS | Geo-redundant | DR requirements |
28| Premium_LRS | Premium SSD | High performance |
29 
30## Storage Types
31 
32| Type | Best For |
33|------|----------|
34| Blob | Files, images, videos, backups, logs |
35| Queue | Simple message queuing, decoupling |
36| Table | NoSQL key-value data |
37| File Share | Lift-and-shift, SMB/NFS access |
38 
39## Access Tiers
40 
41| Tier | Use Case |
42|------|----------|
43| Hot | Frequent access |
44| Cool | Infrequent access (30+ days) |
45| Archive | Rare access (180+ days) |
46 
47## Environment Variables
48 
49| Variable | Value |
50|----------|-------|
51| `AZURE_STORAGE_CONNECTION_STRING` | Connection string (Key Vault) |
52| `AZURE_STORAGE_ACCOUNT` | Account name |
53| `AZURE_STORAGE_CONTAINER` | Container name |
54 
55## References
56 
57- [Bicep Patterns](bicep.md)
58- [Access Patterns](access.md)
59