Top Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Training | AZ-305
                     When to Use Azure Data 
Lake Instead of Azure SQL 
or Blob Storage
Understanding the Right Storage Choice in Azure Data Architecture
Presented by: [Golla Kaylan visualpath]
Introduction: Navigating Azure Storage Options
Azure provides a powerful suite of storage solutions, each designed for 
specific needs. Choosing the optimal service is crucial for efficiency and 
cost-effectiveness.
• Azure SQL Database: Relational data, transactional workloads.
• Azure Blob Storage: Cost-effective object storage for 
unstructured data.
• Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS): Scalable analytics for diverse data.
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What is Azure Data Lake?
Azure Data Lake (ADLS) is not just storage; it's a foundation for big data analytics. Built on Azure Blob Storage, ADLS 
Gen2 combines blob storage's scalability with Data Lake Store's advanced features, offering a unique solution for high-
performance analytical workloads.
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When to Choose Azure Data Lake
Massive Scale Diverse Data
When dealing with petabytes of data, from raw logs Ingesting structured, semi-structured (JSON, XML), or 
to operational telemetry. unstructured (images, audio, video) data.
Advanced Analytics Hierarchical Namespaces
Powering complex ETL, machine learning, and AI Requiring file-system-like performance and granular 
workflows. security (ACLs) over objects.
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Azure Data Lake vs. Azure SQL
Data Type Any format (structured, semi-structured, Strictly structured (relational)
unstructured)
Use Case Big data analytics, data science, batch Online Transaction Processing (OLTP), 
processing traditional OLAP
Schema Schema-on-read (flexible, inferred at Schema-on-write (rigid, defined before 
query time) data ingestion)
Scaling Massively scalable (exabytes) Scales vertically and horizontally (to 
TBs/PBs)
Cost Model Pay-as-you-go for storage and Pay-as-you-go for compute and storage
transactions
Azure SQL excels at transactional consistency and normalized data, while ADLS provides the raw flexibility and scale for 
evolving analytical needs.
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Azure Data Lake vs. Blob Storage
Analytics Optimization Optimized for analytics engines (Spark, General purpose object storage; less 
Presto) with hierarchical namespace optimized for direct analytics query
Security Granular Access Control Lists (ACLs) on Container-level security, Shared Access 
files and directories, POSIX-compliant Signatures (SAS)
Performance Higher throughput and lower latency for Good for large object transfers (e.g., 
analytical workloads due to hierarchical VHDs, backups), but not file system 
namespace performance
Cost Slightly higher cost than standard blob Lower cost per GB, ideal for archival and 
storage, but offset by performance static content
gains for analytics
ADLS Gen2 is built upon Blob Storage but adds critical features for big data analytics, making it a distinct service 
despite sharing underlying infrastructure.
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Ideal Scenarios for Azure Data Lake
IoT & Log Ingestion Raw Data Landing Zone
Collecting massive streams of raw, unstructured Storing unprocessed data from various sources 
IoT sensor data or application logs for real-time (OLTP databases, ERP, CRM) before transformation.
analysis.
Data Science & AI/ML Multi-Source Data Lakes
Providing a single source of truth for large datasets Centralizing data from disparate systems for 
used in training machine learning models. holistic business intelligence and reporting.
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Conclusion: Strategic Data Storage
Azure Data Lake Storage is a cornerstone for modern data 
platforms, empowering organizations to unlock insights from 
massive, diverse datasets. It is purpose-built for analytics-at-
scale.
• Leverage ADLS for big data, varied formats, and advanced 
analytics tools like Synapse or Databricks.
• Opt for Azure SQL for relational, transactional workloads 
and structured data.
• Choose Azure Blob Storage for basic, cost-effective object 
storage and archival.
Making informed choices ensures optimal performance, 
scalability, and cost efficiency for your Azure data architecture.
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For More Information About 
  Azure Solutions Architect
Address:- Flat no: 205, 2nd Floor,
   Nilagiri Block, Aditya Enclave,  Ameerpet, 
Hyderabad-16
   Ph. No: +91-998997107
  www.visualpath.in
    [email protected]
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Thank You
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