Exercise - Configure lifecycle management

  • 6 minutes

This guided project consists of the following exercises:

  • Create storage and upload file
  • Create access policy and generate SAS
  • Test partner access
  • Revoke partner access
  • Configure lifecycle management

In this exercise, you create a lifecycle management rule that automatically deletes files in the partner container after 30 days. This adds a cleanup safety net so that shared files don't accumulate indefinitely.

This exercise includes the following tasks:

  • Create a lifecycle management rule
  • Review the rule configuration

Outcome: A lifecycle rule that automatically deletes shared files after a set number of days.

Revoking SAS access stops partners from reaching the file, but the file itself stays in the container. For a partner exchange scenario, shared files shouldn't linger indefinitely. A lifecycle management rule automatically deletes blobs after a specified number of days, ensuring that old shared files are cleaned up without manual intervention.

Task 1: Create a lifecycle management rule

Configure a rule that automatically deletes blobs in the partner-drop container after 30 days.

  1. In the portal search bar, search for Storage accounts and select Storage accounts.

  2. Select your storage account (for example, stgpfilexchg).

  3. In the left menu, under Data management, select Lifecycle management.

  4. Select + Add a rule.

  5. For Rule name, enter delete-shared-files.

  6. For Rule scope, select Limit blobs with filters.

  7. Under Blob type, confirm Block blobs is selected.

  8. Select Next.

  9. On the Base blobs tab, for Base blobs were, select Last modified.

  10. For More than (days ago), enter 30.

  11. For Then, select Delete the blob.

  12. Select Next.

  13. On the Filter set tab, under Prefix match, enter partner-drop/.

    Note

    The prefix partner-drop/ scopes this rule to only the partner exchange container. Blobs in other containers are not affected.

  14. Select Add.

Note

Validation step: Confirm the delete-shared-files rule appears in the lifecycle management rules list.

Task 2: Review the rule configuration

Verify the rule details to make sure it targets the right container and action.

  1. On the Lifecycle management page, select the delete-shared-files rule to review its details.
  2. Confirm the following settings:
    • Scope: Limited to blobs with prefix partner-drop/
    • Condition: Last modified more than 30 days ago
    • Action: Delete the blob
  3. Close the rule details view.

Note

Lifecycle rules run once per day. In a production environment, blobs that meet the 30-day condition would be deleted during the next rule execution cycle. You won't see the rule execute during this project, but the configuration is in place.

Note

Validation step: Confirm the rule targets the partner-drop/ prefix with a 30-day delete action.