Connecting Azure Blob Storage

Commercial & Enterprise

Connect Azure Blob Storage containers to AI Hub.

About this connection

Review the following functionality, limitations, and other considerations when connecting an Azure Blob Storage container.

• Functionality — Connected Azure Blob Storage containers are supported for use as a source of input files, a destination for file output, and as an upstream or downstream integration in deployments. Azure Blob Storage containers can also be used as default drives.

• Authentication — AI Hub supports two authentication methods for Azure Blob Storage containers: connection strings and service principals.

• Supported content — Any supported file types.

Connecting Azure Blob Storage

You can connect your Azure Blob Storage container using the following authentication methods:

• Connection string
• Service principal

Authenticating with a connection string

1. In Workspaces, select a workspace to connect the drive to, then select the Data tab.

2. Click Add data source, then select Azure Blob Storage.

3. Select an audience.

   • Workspace members (Recommended) — Connect the drive to the selected workspace. Only members of the selected workspace have access.

   • Organization members — Connect the drive at the organization level, making it available to all workspaces.

4. On the configuration screen, fill in your authentication and container details, then click Next.

5. Enter a display name for the drive. This name can’t be changed later.

6. Fill in your authentication and container details, then click Next.

   Setting	Required	Description
   Name your drive	Required	A display name for the connected drive. This name can’t be changed later.
   Container name	Required	The name of your Azure Blob Storage container.
   Auth method	Required	The authentication method to use when connecting to your storage.
   Connection string	Visible and required when Auth method is set to Connection string.	The connection string for your Azure storage account.

7. Select whether to set the drive as a default drive. Not usually recommended, see Managing default drives for details.

8. Click Done

Authenticating with a service principal

1. In Workspaces, select a workspace to connect the drive to, then select the Data tab.

2. Click Add data source, then select Azure Blob Storage.

3. Select an audience.

   • Workspace members (Recommended) — Connect the drive to the selected workspace. Only members of the selected workspace have access.

   • Organization members — Connect the drive at the organization level, making it available to all workspaces.

4. Enter a display name for the drive. This name can’t be changed later.

5. Fill in your authentication and container details, then click Next.

   Setting	Required	Description
   Container name	Required	The name of your Azure Blob Storage container.
   Auth method	Required	The authentication method to use when connecting to your storage.
   Service URL	Visible and required when Auth method is set to Service principal.	The endpoint for the Blob Service registered to the container’s storage account, such as https://<storage account>.blob.core.windows.net/.
   Tenant ID	Visible and required when Auth method is set to Service principal.	The tenant ID for the service principal.
   Client ID	Visible and required when Auth method is set to Service principal.	The client ID for the service principal.
   Client secret	Visible and required when Auth method is set to Service principal.	The client secret for the service principal.

6. Select whether to set the drive as a default drive. Not usually recommended, see Managing default drives for details.

7. Click Done

Updating a connection

Select configuration changes are supported.

• You can update the drive’s security credentials.

To change the authentication method, you must remove and reconnect the drive.

1. In Workspaces, select All workspaces, then select the Data tab.

2. Click the overflow icon of the drive to update, then select Modify configuration.

3. Make any changes, then click Update to confirm.

Removing a connection

You can remove a connected drive to disconnect it and revoke AI Hub’s access to its contents.

1. In Workspaces, select All workspaces, then select the Data tab.

2. Click the overflow icon of the drive to remove, then select Remove.

3. Type the confirmation text, then click Remove.