Azure Blob Storage URL Explained | Generated by AI
Yes, the URL you provided indicates that the image is stored in Microsoft Azure Blob Storage. Here’s a breakdown of the URL and its parameters to explain how it works:
1. URL Structure
https://mistralaichatupprodswe.blob.core.windows.net/chat-images/assistant/be/75/da/be75da1d-cd84-46ef-a1a5-0fb7427ad357/01a20d1d-beff-430b-a263-55670cb3cc4f/3435c442-534e-4046-8238-4cf1e062d038/5b528d38-7a4a-495a-a832-9ca833506521.webp
mistralaichatupprodswe.blob.core.windows.net: This is the Azure Blob Storage endpoint. It follows the format<account-name>.blob.core.windows.net.chat-images/assistant/...: This is the path to the blob (file) within the container. Azure Blob Storage organizes files in containers, and this path represents the virtual directory structure.
2. Query Parameters (SAS Token)
The query string after the ? is a Shared Access Signature (SAS) token, which provides secure, time-limited access to the blob. Here’s what each parameter means:
| Parameter | Value | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
sv |
2025-01-05 |
SAS version (API version used for generating the token) |
st |
2026-02-19T18:46:54Z |
Start time (UTC) when the SAS token becomes valid |
se |
2026-02-19T19:46:54Z |
Expiry time (UTC) when the SAS token becomes invalid |
sr |
b |
Resource type: b = blob (file) |
sp |
rade |
Permissions: r = read, a = add, d = delete, e = list (but here, only r and d are relevant) |
sig |
NmXKg4mPgJtSswAcsOyt4O%2FdTaMctjMyRa8Cc5V9Td4%3D |
HMAC-SHA256 signature for authentication |
3. How It Works
- Access Control: The SAS token allows temporary, controlled access to the blob without requiring Azure credentials. Anyone with this URL can access the blob only within the specified time window (
sttose). - Security: The
sigparameter is a cryptographic signature generated using the storage account key. It ensures the token hasn’t been tampered with. - Permissions: The
sp=radeparameter grants read and delete permissions, but in practice, only read is typically used for sharing images.
4. Why Use Azure Blob Storage?
- Scalability: Azure Blob Storage is designed to handle massive amounts of unstructured data (like images, videos, etc.).
- Global Access: Files can be accessed from anywhere via HTTP/HTTPS.
- Cost-Effective: Pay only for the storage and bandwidth you use.
5. Practical Implications
- Temporary Access: The URL will stop working after
2026-02-19T19:46:54Z(1 hour after generation). - No Authentication Needed: Anyone with the URL can access the image during the valid time window.
In summary: This is a secure, time-limited URL for accessing an image stored in Azure Blob Storage, using a SAS token for authentication and permission control. If you need to access the image after the expiry time, a new SAS token would be required.