Managed file systems
Amazon File Cache vs Azure HPC Cache
Amazon File Cache no longer has an Azure equivalent.
Azure HPC Cache, the closest match, retired on Sep 30, 2025. For Blob-backed data, Azure Managed Lustre with Blob integration covers much of the same need.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon File Cache | Azure HPC Cache Retired |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Retired Sep 30, 2025 and no longer supported. Docs moved to "previous versions". |
| What it is | A temporary, Lustre-based high-speed cache in front of S3 buckets or NFSv3 file systems (on premises or in AWS), loading data on first access. | An NFS caching service in front of on-premises NAS or Blob containers for read-heavy HPC jobs. |
| Pricing model | Per GB-month of provisioned cache storage, plus metadata storage. | Not applicable (retired). |
| Docs | Amazon File Cache docs | Azure HPC Cache docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon File Cache pricing | Azure HPC Cache pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 | AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Amazon File Cache is Lustre-based and can link up to eight S3 or NFSv3 repositories (all of one type). Azure Managed Lustre covers the Blob-backed case, but Azure has no managed cache in front of on-premises NFS exports.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per GB-month of provisioned cache storage, plus metadata storage. Amazon File Cache pricing →
- Azure
- Not applicable (retired). Azure HPC Cache pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate SAA-C03 | AWS | Associate | current Italian version retires after Dec 31, 2026. |
| Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 | Azure | Expert | current English version updated Apr 17, 2026. |
Relevance is based on each exam's published scope, not a line-by-line objective match. Check the official study guide.
FAQ
Does Azure have an equivalent to Amazon File Cache?
Amazon File Cache no longer has an Azure equivalent. Azure HPC Cache, the closest match, retired on Sep 30, 2025. For Blob-backed data, Azure Managed Lustre with Blob integration covers much of the same need.
How does pricing compare between Amazon File Cache and Azure HPC Cache?
AWS: Per GB-month of provisioned cache storage, plus metadata storage. Azure: Not applicable (retired). Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).