Tracing the Evolution of Microsoft Fabric from Classic Data Lake to OneLake
You notice big changes when you switch from Classic Azure Data Lake to OneLake in microsoft fabric. Many big companies now use OneLake with Dynamics 365, PowerApps, and Dataverse. This change helps you handle data more easily and makes analytics better.
Real-time data copying keeps everything safe and works well.
You use Delta or Parquet formats, so searches are faster and reports update right away.
Architectural best practices now tell you to use one storage model, which makes your job easier and smarter.
Key Takeaways
OneLake makes data management easier by putting storage in one place. This helps people find and study data faster.
Using Microsoft Fabric tools together saves time. It helps people work better and make reports quicker.
The Bring Your Own Lake (BYOL) feature lets you control your data storage. This helps you follow company rules and keep data safe.
OneLake works with Azure services to move and manage data easily. You do not need many storage accounts anymore.
OneLake can handle real-time data. This helps people make choices faster and react to changes quickly.
Microsoft Fabric Overview
Unified Analytics Platform
Microsoft fabric lets you use all your data tools together. You can manage, look at, and share data in one spot. You do not need to jump between different products. You get one place for making reports, doing analytics, and using data lakehouse storage.
Here are some things you can use in microsoft fabric:
You can use these tools with lots of data sources. Everything works together in one system. This saves you time and makes your job simpler. You can make dashboards, use machine learning, and handle your data lakehouse in the cloud.
Tip: You can save time by using all these tools in one place.
Integration with Azure Services
Microsoft fabric can work with azure services. This helps you move and change data between different places. You can copy data from your lakehouse to Azure Data Factory or Synapse Analytics. You can also use mapping data flows to change data while copying.
Here is a table that shows some ways you can connect:
You can use these features to handle your data engineering work. You can make pipelines, change data, and keep your data lakehouse current. This helps you build strong cloud solutions.
Classic Azure Data Lake
Features and Structure
When you started using classic azure data lake, you could keep lots of data in the cloud. You could save things like files, logs, and images. The system used folders and files to help you organize your stuff. You could make different containers for each project or team. This kept your data safe and apart from other groups. You could use tools like Azure Data Factory or Databricks to move and work with your data. Many companies liked it because it worked with other Azure services. You could also pick who could see or change your data by setting folder and file permissions.
Note: You could make your storage bigger as you needed more space. You did not have to worry about running out.
Limitations
Classic azure data lake helped you store and manage data, but there were some problems. You often had to handle many storage accounts and containers. This made things confusing and hard to follow. If you wanted to share data with other teams, you sometimes had to copy files. This took extra time and space. Using more than one data lake made it harder to keep everything safe and updated. Sometimes, you needed extra tools to move or change your data. This added more steps to your work.
That is why many groups now want easier ways to handle their data.
Transition to BYOL
Motivation for BYOL
You might ask why groups switched from classic Azure Data Lake to BYOL. BYOL means "Bring Your Own Lake." This lets you use your own storage with Microsoft Fabric. Many companies wanted more power over their data. You can pick where your data is stored and how you look after it. This gives you more choices and helps you keep your data safe.
BYOL also makes moving data easier. You can link your old storage to Fabric and keep everything in one spot. This helps you work with big files and share with other teams. You do not need to copy data to new places. This saves time and keeps things simple.
Note: BYOL helps protect your data and makes it easier to follow company rules.
How BYOL Works
With BYOL, you connect your own Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 account to Microsoft Fabric. You make a link between your storage and Fabric. You can use your old folders and containers. Fabric can read and write data right in your lake. You do not have to move files.
Here are the steps you can follow:
Pick your Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 account.
Give Fabric permission to use your data.
Connect your storage to Fabric with BYOL.
Use Fabric tools to look at and manage your data.
You can see that moving from classic storage to BYOL and OneLake gives you more choices. You keep control of your data and use Fabric for reports and analytics. BYOL makes it simple to move data and helps you build strong solutions.
OneLake in Microsoft Fabric
Unified Storage Model
Now you can use OneLake as your main storage in microsoft fabric. This new way changes how you handle data. Before, you had to keep track of many data lake accounts. With OneLake, you only need one spot for everything. You get a big pool of onelake data. This makes your work faster and easier.
Look at how OneLake is different from older data lakes:
OneLake puts everything in one place. You do not have to use many tools. You can use direct lake access for your lakehouse and analytics. This helps you work better and keeps your data safe.
Benefits of OneLake
OneLake has many good things when you use it with microsoft fabric. You can make your storage bigger as you need it. You do not have to worry about running out of room. OneLake uses direct lake, so you can read and write data fast. This helps you make reports and dashboards right away.
Here are some main benefits:
You can use direct lake for your lakehouse, so you get fast results. Direct lake lets you link your data to Power BI and Dataverse without moving files. You can also use direct lake for data engineering, so you can work with data where it is. Direct lake saves you time and keeps your data safe.
With microsoft onelake and fabric, you get one safe and big solution. You can spend more time learning from your data, not managing storage. Direct lake makes your job easier, faster, and more dependable.
Tip: Use direct lake for all your reports and analytics. You will get results faster and work better with your team.
Comparing Classic Azure Data Lake, BYOL, and OneLake
When you look at how storage changed in microsoft fabric, you see big steps forward. First, there was classic Azure Data Lake. Then, people started using BYOL. Now, many use OneLake. Each new way helps you save money, keep data safe, and work faster. Let’s look at what makes each one different so you can pick the best for your group.
Cost
You might wonder how much each storage type costs. Classic Azure Data Lake has three types: Hot, Cool, and Archive. Each type costs a different amount. OneLake costs a bit more for each gigabyte than Azure Blob storage. If you use OneLake outside of fabric, it can cost up to three times more. Azure Data Lake also charges extra for some features and actions.
Here is a table that shows the monthly and long-term costs:
You can also see the cost differences in this chart:
OneLake costs a little more for each gigabyte than classic Azure Data Lake.
If you use OneLake outside of microsoft fabric, you pay even more.
Azure Data Lake has extra fees for some features and actions.
With OneLake, you get one big storage pool for your whole company. This can help you save money on managing storage and cut down on hidden costs from having lots of accounts.
Security
Security is important when you store special data. Classic Azure Data Lake lets you set who can see or change each folder and file. You can control who gets in. With BYOL, you keep control of your own storage and make your own security rules.
OneLake gives you strong security from microsoft. You use things like role-based access control (RBAC) and encryption. OneLake works with Azure Active Directory, so you can manage users and groups easily. When you move from many storage accounts to just one OneLake, you need to update your access controls. This helps you keep your data safe and follow your company’s rules.
Note: When you switch to OneLake, you manage security in one place. This makes it easier to watch over and protect your data.
Performance
Performance means how fast you can use your data. Classic Azure Data Lake is good for storing lots of files, but you might need extra tools to move or work with data. BYOL lets you use your own storage, so you can set it up how you want.
OneLake gives you one data structure for everything. You do not have to keep track of many storage accounts. This makes it easier to find and use your data. You can use direct lake access for your lakehouse, which makes analytics and reports faster. OneLake also lets you manage data in different places with Fabric Capacities, so your data can stay close to where you need it.
Here are some main points about moving from classic azure data lake to OneLake:
You go from many storage accounts to just one OneLake.
You get one data structure, so managing is simple.
You can handle data in different places and keep it safe.
You update your access controls for the new single OneLake.
Tip: Using OneLake in microsoft fabric helps you work faster, keep your data safe, and manage everything in one spot.
Configuration and Best Practices
Microsoft Fabric Setup for Dynamics 365
You can link Dynamics 365 and Dataverse to microsoft fabric. First, check a few things before you begin. Dataverse and fabric must be in the same region. You need to be a System Administrator in Dataverse. You must have access to Fabric Capacity or Power BI Pro Capacity. You should also be a Fabric Admin who can make new items.
Once you have these, you can start the setup. Go to your Dynamics 365 or Dataverse environment. Pick the option to connect with microsoft fabric. Follow the steps to link your data. This lets you move data easily and use analytics tools. You can make reports, dashboards, and apps with your data.
Tip: Always look at your permissions before you begin. This helps you avoid problems when setting up.
Transition Architecture
When you switch from ADLS Gen2 to OneLake, follow best practices. These steps help keep your data safe and make moving easier. Many groups have problems like copying data, spending too much, or needing both old and new systems. You can skip these issues by using good methods.
Here is a table with some best ways to move your data:
You can use these steps to help your move to OneLake go well. This way, you get more from microsoft fabric and keep your data neat.
Practical Impacts
Real-World Examples
When you move your data to OneLake in microsoft fabric, you see big changes. Many companies now make decisions faster and get better results. Here are some ways organizations benefit:
Decision-making is 40% faster. You get answers quickly and can act fast.
Real-time inventory checks help stop stockouts. You always know what you have and what you need.
Using one platform lowers costs by 30%. You save money and work smarter.
Lakehouse features let you connect data and see updates right away. This helps you plan better and make fewer mistakes. Teams work together more easily because everyone sees the same data.
Tip: With OneLake, you spend less time looking for files and more time fixing problems.
Organizational Benefits
Switching to OneLake in fabric gives you many benefits. Your data stays in one place, so there are no silos. You find what you need fast and share it with your team. Microsoft services help you get insights quickly.
Centralized storage breaks down barriers between teams.
Finding data is easier, so teams can work together.
Microsoft tools give you quick access to reports and analytics.
Everyone can get to the data, even if they are not experts.
Your group starts using facts to make choices.
You get one place to access data, so you do not need extra copies.
All your tools work together, so your job is easier.
Teamwork gets better too. A Forrester Consulting study found that data workers finish jobs faster and plan projects better. Hitachi planned projects better by automating manual work. You do not have to switch between tools, so your work is simple. You can become a "full-stack" data worker because you have all the tools you need.
Here is a table that shows what makes OneLake special compared to older systems:
Note: OneLake helps you work together, save money, and get more from your data.
You saw how moving from adls gen2 to OneLake changed things a lot. OneLake puts all your data in one place. This makes it easier to manage and saves money. You can get answers from your data faster. You can also see reports right away and work better with your team.
For what you do next, think about how you will move your data. Make sure you follow rules for data and work well with others.
Here are some things that are coming soon:
More ways to use AI and machine learning.
Better help for using more than one cloud.
Stronger safety and tools that are simple for everyone.
FAQ
What is OneLake in Microsoft Fabric?
OneLake is one big place for all your company’s data. You keep everything together in OneLake. This helps you find and use your data fast. You do not have to worry about lots of storage accounts.
How do you connect Dynamics 365 to Microsoft Fabric?
You can link Dynamics 365 to Microsoft Fabric with a special setting. You must have the right permissions first. After you set it up, you can move your data and use tools like Power BI.
Is your data safe in OneLake?
Your data is safe in OneLake. Microsoft uses strong security like RBAC and encryption. You get to pick who can see or change your data.
Can you use your old Azure Data Lake with Microsoft Fabric?
You can still use your old Azure Data Lake with Microsoft Fabric. You make shortcuts or links to your data. This way, you do not have to move files. You save time and keep your data neat.