Transitioning to Updated Azure Storage Libraries in D365 Finance Customizations

If you’re customizing D365 Finance and still using older Azure storage libraries, it’s time to modernize your approach. Microsoft has deprecated some libraries, and it’s essential to switch to their updated counterparts for better performance, support, and compatibility with the latest Azure features. This blog will guide you through the changes and help you make a smooth transition.

Deprecated Libraries

Here are some commonly used Azure storage libraries that are now deprecated:

1. Microsoft.Azure.Storage.Blob
2. Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage
3. Microsoft.Azure.Storage.Queue
4. Microsoft.Azure.Storage.File

Updated Libraries to Use

Replace the deprecated libraries with the following updated ones:

1. Azure.Storage.Blobs
• For working with Azure Blob storage.
2. Azure.Storage.Queues
• For managing Azure Queue storage.
3. Azure.Storage.Files.Shares
• For handling Azure File Shares.
4. Azure.Storage.Common
• Provides shared functionality across the storage libraries.

Why Switch?

The updated libraries offer several advantages:

1. Improved Performance: The new libraries are optimized for better speed and efficiency.
2. Enhanced Security: They come with improved authentication mechanisms like Azure Identity.
3. Feature Updates: Access to the latest Azure features and capabilities.
4. Long-Term Support: Microsoft actively supports and maintains these libraries.

How to Migrate

Switching to the updated libraries may require changes to your code. Here’s a general approach:

1. Identify Usage: Search your codebase for references to deprecated libraries.
2. Update Code: Replace methods and classes from the old libraries with their new counterparts. Here’s an example:

Old Code (Using Microsoft.Azure.Storage.Blob):

CloudBlobClient blobClient = storageAccount.CreateCloudBlobClient();

CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference("my-container");

New Code (Using Azure.Storage.Blobs):

BlobServiceClient blobServiceClient = new BlobServiceClient(connectionString);

BlobContainerClient containerClient = blobServiceClient.GetBlobContainerClient("my-container");

 

3. Test Thoroughly: Ensure all functionalities work as expected after migration.

Key Considerations

• Authentication: The updated libraries support Azure Identity for authentication. Consider migrating to Managed Identity or Azure Active Directory for better security.
• Breaking Changes: Be aware that the updated libraries have different APIs, so some refactoring will be necessary.
• Documentation: Refer to the official Azure Storage documentation for detailed guidance.