Yes, you must create an Active Directory connection before deploying an SMB volume. The specified Domain Controllers must be accessible by the delegated subnet of Azure NetApp Files for a successful connection. See [Create an SMB volume](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-netapp-files/azure-netapp-files-create-volumes-smb) for details.

Azure NetApp Files currently supports one Active Directory connection per subscription. Also, the Active Directory connection is specific to a single NetApp account; it is not shared across accounts.

Both [Azure Active Directory (AD) Domain Services](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory-domain-services/overview) and [Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)](https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/get-started/virtual-dc/active-directory-domain-services-overview) are supported. You can use existing Active Directory domain controllers with Azure NetApp Files. Domain controllers can reside in Azure as virtual machines, or on premises via ExpressRoute or S2S VPN. Azure NetApp Files does not support AD join for [Azure Active Directory](https://azure.microsoft.com/resources/videos/azure-active-directory-overview/) at this time.

- [Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute FAQs](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/expressroute/expressroute-faqs)

- [Microsoft Azure Virtual Network FAQ](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-network/virtual-networks-faq)

- [How to create an Azure support request](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/azure-supportability/how-to-create-azure-support-request)