Introduction to Azure ExpressRoute

Azure ExpressRoute provides a dedicated, private connection from your on-premises network to Microsoft Azure. Unlike VPNs over the public internet, ExpressRoute offers higher reliability, faster speeds, and lower latencies. This makes it ideal for mission-critical enterprise workloads that require consistent and predictable network performance.

Key Benefits of ExpressRoute

  • Reliability: Dedicated circuits ensure consistent performance, independent of internet congestion.
  • Speed: Support for bandwidths from 50 Mbps up to 10 Gbps.
  • Low Latency: Predictable network path results in lower latency for your applications.
  • Security: Traffic does not traverse the public internet, enhancing security.
  • Microsoft Peering: Connect directly to Microsoft 365 services and Azure services.
  • Private Peering: Connect to your Azure Virtual Networks.
  • Service Provider Choice: Choose from a global network of connectivity providers.

Tip: ExpressRoute is a great option if you need to transfer large amounts of data into or out of Azure regularly, or if you have applications that are sensitive to network latency.

How ExpressRoute Works

ExpressRoute connections are established through a connectivity provider at an ExpressRoute location. Your network is connected to the provider's network, which then peers with Microsoft's edge routers. This establishes a Layer 3 connection to Microsoft's global network, allowing traffic to flow directly to Azure resources or Microsoft 365 services without going over the public internet.

There are three main types of peering you can configure:

  • Azure Public Peering: Access to public Microsoft cloud services such as Azure Storage, Azure SQL Database, and Microsoft 365.
  • Azure Private Peering: Access to your Azure Virtual Networks (VNets). This is the most common scenario for connecting your on-premises data center to your Azure resources.
  • Microsoft Peering: Access to Microsoft cloud services that are advertised over the Microsoft network, such as Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Skype for Business Online) and Dynamics 365.

Important: When planning your ExpressRoute deployment, consult the list of ExpressRoute locations and partners to find a provider that serves your region.

Scenarios for Using ExpressRoute

  • Moving large amounts of data to Azure for disaster recovery or backup.
  • Connecting your on-premises data center to your Azure Virtual Networks to create a hybrid cloud.
  • Running latency-sensitive applications that require consistent performance.
  • Improving the performance and reliability of access to Microsoft 365 services.

ExpressRoute offers different circuit types and configurations to meet various needs, including:

  • Standard: Provides connectivity to all Azure regions.
  • Premium: Offers additional features like global connectivity, more routes, and higher bandwidth options.

By leveraging ExpressRoute, organizations can build a robust and performant hybrid cloud solution that bridges the gap between their existing infrastructure and the power of Microsoft Azure.

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