This article describes the improvements and issues that are fixed in the Azure File Sync Agent v18 release that is dated May 2024. Additionally, this article contains installation instructions for this release.
Improvements and issues that are fixed
Faster server provisioning & improved disaster recovery for Azure File Sync server end points
We're reducing the time it takes for the new server endpoint to be ready to use. When a new server endpoint is provisioned, it could take hours and sometime days for the server to be ready to use. With our latest improvements, we've substantially shortened this duration, ensuring a more efficient setup process.
The improvement applies to the following scenarios, when the server endpoint location is empty (no files or directories):
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Creating the first server endpoint of new sync topology after data is copied to the Azure File Share.
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Adding a new empty server endpoint to an existing sync topology.
How to get started: Sign up for the public preview here.
Sync performance improvements
Sync upload performance has improved, and performance numbers will be posted when they are available. This improvement will mainly benefit file share migrations (initial upload) and high churn events on the server in which a large number of files need to be uploaded.
Miscellaneous reliability and telemetry improvements for cloud tiering and sync
More information about the Azure File Sync Agent v18 release
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This release is available for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022 installations.
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The agent version for this release is 18.0.0.0.
How to obtain and install the Azure File Sync Agent
The Azure File Sync v18 release is currently being flighted to servers which are configured to automatically update when a new version becomes available. Once fighting completes, this update will be available on Microsoft Update and Microsoft Download Center. Flighting means the release is offered to a limited number of servers first and expands to more servers gradually. It may not be offered to your server right away even if it’s configured to automatically update when a new version becomes available. To immediately install the Azure File Sync v18 release, manually download the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
To learn more about Azure File Sync agent auto-update, see automatic agent lifecycle management.
To obtain and install this update, configure your Azure File Sync agent to automatically update when a new version becomes available or manually download the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Configure your Azure File Sync agent to automatically update when a new version becomes available
Agent installation
During the Azure File Sync agent installation, select the “Automatically update when a new version becomes available” setting.
Post-agent installation
If the agent is already installed, run the following PowerShell commands to configure auto-update:
Import-Module "C:\Program Files\Azure\StorageSyncAgent\StorageSync.Management.ServerCmdlets.dll"
Set-StorageSyncAgentAutoUpdate -PolicyMode InstallLatest -Day <day> -Hour <hour>
Manually download and install the Azure File Sync agent update from the Microsoft Update Catalog
Go to the following website to manually download this update from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
Azure File Sync Agent v18 release: May 2024 (KB5023057)
To manually install the update package, run the following command from an elevated command prompt:
msiexec.exe /p packagename.msp REINSTALLMODE=OMUS REINSTALL=StorageSyncAgent,StorageSyncAgentAzureFileSync,StorageSyncAgentGuardFilter,StorageSyncAgentUpdater /qb /l*v KB 5023057 .log
For example, to install the Azure File Sync agent update for Server 2016, run the following command:
msiexec.exe /p StorageSyncAgent_WS2016_KB 5023057 .msp REINSTALLMODE=OMUS REINSTALL=StorageSyncAgent,StorageSyncAgentAzureFileSync,StorageSyncAgentGuardFilter,StorageSyncAgentUpdater /qb /l*v KB 5023057 .log
