How do I mount an Azure File Share in CompleteFTP?

Question

How do I mount a share from Azure File Storage in CompleteFTP?

Answer 1

In version 11.1.0 you'll be able to mount Azure File Storage shares as folders in CompleteFTP, but until then, the following solution is available:

Shares in Azure File Storage can be mounted in CompleteFTP by first mounting them in Windows using PowerShell and then mounting those mounts in CompleteFTP as Network/macro folders.

How?

Assuming that (1) an Azure Storage account has already been set up and (2) a File share has been added in that account, the first step is to obtain the connection information for the share from the Azure portal.  To do this:

1. Open the Storage accounts panel in the Azure portal
2. Select desired storage account
3. Select the Files service
4. Select the desired File share
5. Select Connect from the toolbar at the top, as shown below
6. In the Connect panel that is displayed, select a drive-letter from the dropdown, e.g. Z
7. Copy all of the PowerShell commands displayed to the clipboard
8. Since CompleteFTP runs as the System user, the Powershell commands must be executed as the System user so that the drive is visible to CompleteFTP.  Microsoft's PsExec is needed for this.
9. Open a PowerShell console on your server by executing the command:
   psexec.exe -i -s powershell
10. Paste the commands from the clipboard into your Powershell console and execute them
11. Test that the share is accessible by executing the command 'dir <drive-letter>:'

Once you've verified that the Azure file share is accessible from PowerShell, you're ready to mount it in CompleteFTP:

1. Open CompleteFTP Manager
2. Select the Folders panel
3. Add a Network/macro folder at the desired location in the folder tree
4. Enter <drive-letter>:\ as the path
5. Click OK
6. Select the newly created folder
7. Click on the name setting and give it a name
8. Apply your changes.

You should now be able to access the Azure File Share via CompleteFTP.