BenedictBerger outlines Smart Tier, a new automated tiering solution for Azure Blob and Data Lake storage, detailing its benefits, setup, and cost-saving features for cloud storage management.

Smart Tiering for Azure Blob and Data Lake Storage: Automated Cost Optimization

Azure has launched the public preview of Smart Tier for Azure Blob Storage and Azure Data Lake Storage, offering a fully managed, automated data tiering solution that streamlines cloud storage optimization. The Smart Tier feature leverages access pattern analysis to automatically relocate data between hot, cool, and cold tiers, removing the need for manual adjustments and ensuring efficient cost management.

How Smart Tier Works

  • Automated Lifecycle: Smart Tier tracks object access patterns, keeping frequently accessed data in the hot tier for lower transaction costs. After 30 days of inactivity, objects move to the cool tier; after 60 more days without access, they shift to the cold tier. Accessing objects in cool or cold tiers instantaneously returns them to the hot tier.
  • Zero Manual Effort: The system requires no lifecycle management policies and operates independent of user intervention.
  • Cost Optimization: Billing is simplified—users pay regular rates for each tier with no additional fees for transitions, early deletions, or retrieval. There is a minor monitoring fee for orchestration.

Getting Started

  1. Enable Smart Tier: Select Smart Tier as your default access tier via the Azure portal or API for any zonally redundant storage account (including ZRS, GZRS, RA-GZRS).
  2. Apply to Existing Data: Existing objects within accounts set to Smart Tier automatically participate unless explicitly set to another tier.
  3. Object Size Rules: Small objects (under 128 KiB) remain in the hot tier and do not incur monitoring fees. If these grow beyond 128 KiB, normal tiering applies.

Supported Scenarios & Limitations

  • Supported: Applies to block blobs across both flat and hierarchical namespaces for Azure Blob and Data Lake Storage.
  • Not Supported: Does not apply to append blobs or page blobs.
  • Zonal Redundancy Required: Only available in public cloud regions supporting zonal redundancy.

Monitoring and Reporting

  • The metrics view displays tier distributions by object count and capacity, allowing clear visibility into cost-saving effects and storage allocation.

Partner & Community Feedback

Qumulo, an Azure partner, highlights the impact of Smart Tier in enhancing file system elasticity and lifecycle control, with positive feedback on integration and operational improvements.

Billing Details

  • Users pay conventional rates for hot, cool, and cold tiers.
  • No extra charges for automatic transitions, early deletions, or tier changes.
  • Minimal charges apply for Smart Tier monitoring orchestration.

Key Benefits

  • Automated cost optimization for mixed or unpredictable access patterns.
  • Easy onboarding for existing and new accounts.
  • Immediate visibility into storage tier distributions and savings.

Resources & Next Steps

Updated: Nov 14, 2025 Author: BenedictBerger

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