Azure VPN Gateway Types
Azure VPN Gateway offers different types of VPN gateways to meet various connectivity needs, from simple site-to-site connections to complex hybrid cloud solutions. Understanding the distinctions between these types is crucial for designing a secure and efficient network architecture.
1. VPN Gateway
This is the most common type of Azure VPN Gateway. It allows you to create secure, encrypted connections over the public internet between your on-premises networks and Azure virtual networks, or between two Azure virtual networks.
Key features:
- Site-to-Site (S2S) VPN: Connects your on-premises network to your Azure VNet.
- VNet-to-VNet VPN: Connects two Azure VNets.
- Point-to-Site (P2S) VPN: Connects individual client devices to your Azure VNet.
- Supports various VPN protocols like IKEv1, IKEv2, and SSTP.
VPN Gateways can be configured with different SKUs (e.g., Basic, VpnGw1, VpnGw2, VpnGw3, VpnGw4, VpnGw5, VpnGw1AZ, etc.) which determine the performance, number of tunnels, and throughput capabilities.
2. ExpressRoute Gateway
While not strictly a "VPN" gateway, ExpressRoute Gateways are often discussed in the context of Azure network connectivity. ExpressRoute provides a private, dedicated, and high-bandwidth connection from your on-premises network to Azure, bypassing the public internet.
Key features:
- Private Connection: Leverages a network provider to establish a direct physical connection.
- Higher Bandwidth and Lower Latency: Ideal for mission-critical applications.
- Reliability: Offers predictable performance and uptime.
- Can be combined with VPN Gateway for a hybrid approach.
ExpressRoute Gateways are used to connect your Azure VNets to your ExpressRoute circuits.
3. Azure Virtual WAN Gateway
Azure Virtual WAN is a networking service that brings together networking, security, and routing capabilities into a single operational interface. A Virtual WAN Gateway is a component of this service.
Key features:
- Global Transit Network: Simplifies the management of global, scalable, and secure networking.
- Hub-and-Spoke Architecture: Facilitates connecting multiple VNets and on-premises sites through a central hub.
- Integrated Security: Can integrate with Azure Firewall and other security services.
- Automated Routing: Simplifies complex routing scenarios.
Virtual WAN Gateways can be VPN gateways or ExpressRoute gateways deployed within a Virtual WAN hub.
Choosing the Right Gateway
The selection of the appropriate gateway type depends on your specific requirements:
- For secure internet-based connectivity: Use a standard VPN Gateway.
- For dedicated, high-performance, private connectivity: Use an ExpressRoute Gateway.
- For large-scale, global networks with simplified management: Consider Azure Virtual WAN, which includes its own gateway types.
| Feature | VPN Gateway | ExpressRoute Gateway | Virtual WAN Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Over Public Internet (Encrypted) | Private, Dedicated Circuit | Global Transit Network (VPN/ExpressRoute) |
| Primary Use Case | Site-to-Site, VNet-to-VNet, Point-to-Site | High Bandwidth, Low Latency Hybrid Cloud | Large-scale, Global Branch Connectivity |
| Performance | Variable (based on SKU and internet conditions) | Consistent and Predictable | Scalable (managed within Virtual WAN hub) |
| Security | IPsec/IKE Encryption | Private Connection (no inherent encryption needed) | Integrated Security Options |