Cloud File Storage That Works With Your Existing Applications
Cloud-native file storage — NFS and SMB protocols over managed service infrastructure — enables lift-and-shift of file-dependent applications without re-architecting, while providing the elasticity and managed operations that on-premises NAS can't match.
What RLM Delivers on Cloud File Storage
File storage is the most common reason enterprises can't simply re-architecture applications for object storage. Cloud-managed file services (EFS, Azure Files, Filestore) provide the familiar NFS/SMB interface while eliminating NAS hardware management.
How We Approach Cloud File Storage
We work Cloud File Storage the same way each time: establish the baseline, test the market properly, negotiate on evidence, and stay involved through implementation.
File Storage Workload Assessment
We identify applications dependent on shared file storage — Windows file shares, Linux NFS mounts, application data directories — and assess the performance requirements, capacity needs, and access patterns that determine the right cloud file storage solution.
Platform Evaluation
We evaluate AWS EFS vs. FSx for Windows File Server vs. FSx for NetApp ONTAP; Azure Files vs. Azure NetApp Files; and GCP Filestore — against your performance requirements, protocol needs, and cost profile.
Migration Planning
Migrating NAS data to cloud file storage requires careful planning for data transfer, DNS cutover, permission migration, and application testing. We design the migration approach that minimizes application disruption.
Performance Tier & Scaling Design
Cloud file storage offers multiple performance tiers. We design the tier selection and scaling approach — burst credits, provisioned throughput, or elastic scaling — appropriate for your access pattern.
Cloud File Storage Evaluation Criteria
These are the dimensions we have seen separate a Cloud File Storage deployment that works from one that quietly becomes shelfware.
Protocol Support
NFS v3/v4, SMBv3, and multi-protocol access have different support levels across cloud file storage platforms. Evaluate compatibility with your existing client configurations.
Performance & Latency
File storage latency varies significantly by platform and tier. Evaluate against your application's latency sensitivity — some file-dependent applications are highly sensitive to storage latency.
Cross-Region & Multi-AZ Redundancy
Cloud file storage replication options vary significantly. Evaluate redundancy architecture against your availability requirements and the cost of multi-AZ or cross-region replication.
Cost vs. Block Storage Alternatives
Cloud file storage is typically more expensive than object storage and sometimes more expensive than block storage with a filesystem on top. Evaluate TCO including the operational savings from managed service vs. self-managed alternatives.
Active Directory Integration
Windows file shares require Active Directory integration for permissions management. Evaluate Kerberos authentication support and AD integration quality for Windows-heavy environments.
Backup & Snapshot Support
Evaluate built-in snapshot capabilities, backup integrations, and recovery procedures — particularly for FSx NetApp ONTAP where SnapVault/SnapMirror integration may be important.
"Our migration was stalled for months. RLM came in, assessed the gaps, and helped us select a managed services partner that got us across the finish line in 60 days."
We are paid by the provider you choose, which means we have no reason to steer you toward any particular one.
Where This Matters Most
Sector-specific considerations we see repeatedly in cloud and managed services engagements.
A Sample of the Cloud & Managed Services Providers We Evaluate
RLM is vendor neutral. These are among 600+ providers in our evaluation set — inclusion here is not an endorsement, and we are paid by the provider you choose, not by any provider in particular. How that works →
Where Do You Want to Start With Cloud File Storage?
Start with a no-cost conversation with an RLM cloud advisor — vendor neutral, no agenda, just clarity on the right path forward.
Talk to a Cloud Advisor