Version: 0.4
July 2025
This manual provides step-by-step instructions for deploying and setting up the Layer2 ShArc system.
Layer2 ShArc is hosted entirely within your own Azure tenant and requires the following Azure resources:
To deploy the ShArc system, the following files are required
| Name | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Install-Sharc.ps1 | Installation Script | This PowerShell script installs all necessary components of the system, such as the App Registration, the File Handler, the Azure Storage Account and the App Service |
| ApiAccessManifest.json | Permissions for App Registrations | This JSON file contains the permissions for the App Registration and will be used by the installation script. |
| FileHandlerManifest.json | Manifest for the File Handler | This JSON file is a template which is used by the installation script to install the File Handler. |
| FileHandlerIcons.json | Icons for the File Handler | This JSON file is a template which contains the file icons for the File Handler. It is used by the installation script as well. |
| FileHandlerActions.json | Actions for the File Handler | This JSON file contains the actions that the File Handler can perform and how to do it. It is used by the installation script. |
| sharc-iac.json | ARM template for Azure Resources | This ARM template defines all the Azure resources that need to be deployed and configured for ShArc. It is being deployed by the installation script. |
Open an Azure Cloud Shell
Note: If you are asked which shell you want to start, choose PowerShell
Upload the files (Install-Sharc.ps1 and all the JSON files)
Start the installation script
The deployment script provides several modes for installation. The default is install. It can be specified my adding -Mode <mode> when starting the script. The following modes are available.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Install | This is the default. Installs everything needed for ShArc, including App Registrations and Azure Resources. |
| Update | Used for infrastructure updates. Adjusts and appends existing configurations and resources to meet new requirements or apply improvements. |
| UninstallAll | Removes everything needed for ShArc, including App Registrations and Azure Resources. |
| EnsureAppRegistrations | Makes sure the App Registrations exist, if they do, this does nothing, but if they do not exist, they will be created. |
| RemoveAppRegistrations | Removes only the App Registrations and leaves all other resources unchanged. Important: without the App Registrations, ShArc will stop working. |
| UninstallKeepAppRegistrations | Removes only the Azure Resources, but keeps the App Registrations for further use. |
To aid users in handling offloaded files which are synchronized to the local file system through One Drive for Business, we created file associations for the .sharc extension. Details can be found here
Make sure that the Azure BLOB Storage permissions prohibit changes to the content as well to any BLOB metadata to make sure no manipulation is possible. Only the Global Administrator needs to have access to the BLOBs for ShArc to work properly.