How to Use Azure File Share to Automatically Copy Files to Windows VMSS Instances?

Here is the PowerShell script to mount the file share on VMSS instances, initiate the copy to the local drive from the file share after mounting, and disconnect the drive once the copy is complete

Fileshare.ps1

# Variables
$targetDirectory = "C:Fileshare data"
$mountDrive = "L:"  # The drive letter where the file share is mounted

# Mount the Azure File Share
$connectTestResult = Test-NetConnection -ComputerName "venkatrgaebd.file.core.windows.net" -Port 445
if ($connectTestResult.TcpTestSucceeded) {
    # Save the password so the drive will persist on reboot
    cmd.exe /C "cmdkey /add:`"venkatrgaebd.file.core.windows.net`" /user:`"localhostvenkatrgaebd`" /pass:`"TIwD7+kLzjq4dkX18nMnYDC94SesFesFNUu1XmnsfsjYEj8ftsjgq3RFc4ob6nXdZBtPhny934ax+AStnzZucg==`""

    # Mount the drive
    New-PSDrive -Name L -PSProvider FileSystem -Root "\venkatrgaebd.file.core.windows.netvenkatfileshare" -Persist
} else {
    Write-Error "Unable to reach the Azure storage account via port 445. Ensure your network allows access to port 445."
    exit
}

# Wait for a few seconds to ensure the mounted drive is ready
Start-Sleep -Seconds 10

# Ensure the target directory ("Fileshare data") exists
if (-not (Test-Path -Path $targetDirectory)) {
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $targetDirectory
}

# Copy files from the mounted Azure File Share to the target directory
try {
    # Use the correct path for the mounted drive: K:
    Copy-Item -Path "$mountDrive*" -Destination $targetDirectory -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction Stop
    Write-Host "Files copied successfully from $mountDrive to $targetDirectory"
} catch {
    Write-Error "Failed to copy files. Error: $_"
}

# Optionally, unmount the file share after copying
try {
    Remove-PSDrive -Name "L"
    Write-Host "Drive L: unmounted successfully."
} catch {
    Write-Error "Failed to remove the drive. Error: $_"
}

You can place the script (Fileshare.ps1) in GitHub or Azure Blob Storage. If you upload the script to Blob Storage, add the storage account and access key details in the VMSS Extension command.

Command to create VMSS Extension

az vmss extension set --vmss-name "Venkat" --name "CustomScriptExtension" --resource-group "Venkat_group" --version "1.10" --publisher "Microsoft.Compute" --settings '{"fileUris": ["https://venkatrgaebd.blob.core.windows.net/venkat/Fileshare.ps1"], "commandToExecute": "powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -File Fileshare.ps1"}' --protected-settings '{"storageAccountName": "venkatrgaebd", "storageAccountKey": "Zucg=="}'

Output

Fileshare data

After creating the VMSS extension, the same data will be copied to the VMSS instance

Reference: az vmss extension set