Are you tired of dealing with cumbersome data storage and transfer processes in Azure Data Factory (ADF)? Do you want to take your data integration to the next level by leveraging the power of Extra Files (Block Blobs) in copy activity of Blob Storage? Look no further! In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Extra Files, explore their benefits, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to create them in ADF.
What are Extra Files (Block Blobs)?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of creating Extra Files, let’s take a moment to understand what they are. In Azure Blob Storage, Block Blobs are a type of blob that allows you to upload large amounts of data as a collection of blocks. Each block can be up to 100MB in size, and you can upload up to 50,000 blocks, making it ideal for storing and transferring large files.
Extra Files, on the other hand, are a subset of Block Blobs that allow you to store additional files alongside your main data files. These files can contain metadata, logs, or any other ancillary data that you want to store alongside your main data. Think of them asauxiliary files that provide context to your main data.
Benefits of Using Extra Files (Block Blobs)
So, why should you care about Extra Files? Here are some compelling reasons to start using them in your ADF workflows:
- Improved Data Contextualization: Extra Files allow you to store additional metadata or logs alongside your main data, providing a more comprehensive view of your data.
- Enhanced Data Analytics: By storing additional files, you can perform more advanced data analysis and gain deeper insights into your data.
- Faster Data Transfer: Block Blobs enable faster data transfer rates, making it ideal for large-scale data transfer operations.
- Cost-Effective Storage: Storing large files as Block Blobs can be more cost-effective than storing them as individual files.
Creating Extra Files (Block Blobs) in Copy Activity of Blob Storage
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of Extra Files, let’s get our hands dirty and create them in ADF. Follow these steps to create Extra Files in the copy activity of Blob Storage:
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Step 1: Create a New Data Factory
azure datafactory factory create --resource-group --name -
Step 2: Create a New Linked Service for Blob Storage
{ "name": "AzureBlobStorageLinkedService", "type": "Microsoft.DataFactory/factories/linkedservices", "properties": { "type": "AzureBlobStorage", "typeProperties": { "connectionString": { "type": "SecureString", "value": "DefaultEndpointsProtocol=https;AccountName=;AccountKey=;BlobEndpoint=" } } } } -
Step 3: Create a New Dataset for Blob Storage
{ "name": "AzureBlobStorageDataset", "type": "Microsoft.DataFactory/factories/datasets", "properties": { "type": "AzureBlob", "typeProperties": { "folderPath": "container/path/", "fileName": "file.json" }, "linkedServiceName": { "referenceName": "AzureBlobStorageLinkedService", "type": "LinkedServiceReference" } } } -
Step 4: Create a New Copy Activity
{ "name": "Copy Activity", "type": "Copy", "dependsOn": [], "policy": { "timeout": "7.00:00:00", "retry": 0, "retryIntervalInSeconds": 30 }, "typeProperties": { "source": { "type": "DatasetReference", "dataset": { "referenceName": "AzureBlobStorageDataset", "type": "DatasetReference" } }, "sink": { "type": "DatasetReference", "dataset": { "referenceName": "AzureBlobStorageDataset", "type": "DatasetReference" } }, "enableStaging": true, "enableSkipIncompatibleRow": true, "cloudDataFlowProperties": [], "translator": { "type": "TabularTranslator", "typeProperties": { "headerRow": true } } } } -
Step 5: Configure Extra Files (Block Blobs) in Copy Activity
{ "name": "Copy Activity", "type": "Copy", "dependsOn": [], "policy": { "timeout": "7.00:00:00", "retry": 0, "retryIntervalInSeconds": 30 }, "typeProperties": { "source": { "type": "DatasetReference", "dataset": { "referenceName": "AzureBlobStorageDataset", "type": "DatasetReference" } }, "sink": { "type": "DatasetReference", "dataset": { "referenceName": "AzureBlobStorageDataset", "type": "DatasetReference" } }, "enableStaging": true, "enableSkipIncompatibleRow": true, "cloudDataFlowProperties": [], "translator": { "type": "TabularTranslator", "typeProperties": { "headerRow": true } }, "additionalFiles": { "blobName": "extrafile.json", "contentType": "application/json" } } }
In the above example, we’ve added an additionalFiles section to the copy activity configuration, which specifies the name and content type of the Extra File (Block Blob) that we want to create.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered the benefits of using Extra Files (Block Blobs) in ADF and provided a step-by-step guide on how to create them in the copy activity of Blob Storage. By leveraging the power of Extra Files, you can unlock new possibilities for data contextualization, analytics, and transfer. So, go ahead and start creating your own Extra Files today!
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Extra Files (Block Blobs) | A type of blob that allows you to store additional files alongside your main data files in Azure Blob Storage. |
| Azure Data Factory (ADF) | A cloud-based data integration service that allows you to create, schedule, and manage data pipelines. |
| Blob Storage | A cloud-based object storage service that allows you to store and retrieve large amounts of data. |
Hope you enjoyed this article! If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask. Happy data integrating!
Frequently Asked Question
Get ready to unravel the mystery of extra files creation in the copy activity of Blob Storage in ADF!
What are these extra files (Block Blobs) that get created during the copy activity in Blob Storage?
These extra files are temporary block blobs created by ADF to handle large file copying. They are a result of the ADF’s chunking mechanism, which breaks down large files into smaller, manageable chunks. Think of them as intermediate files that help ADF ensure data integrity during the copying process!
Why do I need to worry about these extra files (Block Blobs)? Can’t I just ignore them?
You shouldn’t ignore them! These extra files consume storage space and can lead to extra costs. Moreover, if left unattended, they can clutter your Blob Storage, making it harder to manage. It’s essential to handle these files proactively, either by deleting them manually or configuring ADF to do so automatically.
How can I configure ADF to delete these extra files (Block Blobs) automatically?
Easy peasy! In ADF, go to the ‘Copy data’ activity and enable the ‘Delete files after completion’ option. This will instruct ADF to automatically remove the temporary block blobs once the copying process is complete. You can also use ADF’s ‘Clean up’ feature to delete these files as part of your data flow.
Can I use Azure Blob Storage’s Lifecycle Management feature to handle these extra files (Block Blobs)?
Absolutely! Azure Blob Storage’s Lifecycle Management feature allows you to define rules for managing blob storage, including deletion. You can set up a policy to delete temporary block blobs after a specified time period, ensuring your storage remains organized and cost-effective.
What’s the best practice for handling these extra files (Block Blobs) in a production environment?
In a production environment, it’s recommended to implement a combination of ADF’s ‘Delete files after completion’ option and Azure Blob Storage’s Lifecycle Management feature. This ensures that temporary block blobs are removed both during and after the copying process, keeping your storage organized and cost-effective. Regular monitoring and maintenance are also essential to prevent any unnecessary file accumulation!
