Overview

Azure ExpressRoute provides a dedicated, private connection from your on-premises infrastructure to Microsoft Azure. This allows for higher bandwidth, lower latency, and increased reliability compared to standard VPN connections over the public internet.

This guide will walk you through the process of creating an ExpressRoute circuit using the Azure portal. Ensure you have the necessary permissions and a prior agreement with a connectivity provider.

Prerequisites

  • An Azure subscription.
  • An ExpressRoute connectivity partner.
  • Necessary administrative privileges within your Azure subscription.

Steps to Create an ExpressRoute Circuit

1

Navigate to ExpressRoute Circuits

Sign in to the Azure portal. In the search bar at the top, type "ExpressRoute circuits" and select it from the results.

2

Create New Circuit

Click on the + Create button to start the circuit creation process. This will open the "Create ExpressRoute circuit" blade.

3

Configure Basic Settings

  • Subscription: Select your Azure subscription.
  • Resource group: Choose an existing resource group or create a new one.
  • Circuit name: Provide a unique and descriptive name for your circuit (e.g., MyCorp-ExpressRoute-NYC).
  • Location: Select the Azure region where you want to deploy the circuit. This should ideally be the region closest to your on-premises network or your primary Azure presence.
4

Select Service Provider and SKU

  • Provider: Choose your ExpressRoute connectivity provider from the dropdown list.
  • SKU: Select the appropriate SKU. Common options include:
    • Standard: Offers global connectivity and premium features.
    • Premium: Provides access to more locations, global peering, and larger routing tables.
  • Bandwidth: Choose the desired bandwidth (e.g., 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps).
  • Peering location: Select the physical location where your circuit will connect to the Microsoft network. This must be coordinated with your provider.
5

Configure Properties (Optional)

You may have options to configure properties like Allow Classic traffic or enable Azure Private Peering and Microsoft Peering based on your requirements and provider offerings.

6

Review and Create

Review all the details you have entered. Once satisfied, click the Review + create button. Azure will validate your configuration.

7

Deployment and Activation

After successful validation, click Create. The deployment process will begin. Once the circuit is provisioned in Azure, your connectivity provider will need to provision the corresponding physical connection. You will receive a service key (also known as an authorization key or circuit ID) from Azure, which you must provide to your provider to activate the circuit.

Post-Creation Steps

Once the circuit is provisioned and activated by your provider:

  • Configure peering (Azure Private, Azure Public, or Microsoft) on your ExpressRoute circuit.
  • Connect your virtual networks to the ExpressRoute circuit.
  • Configure your on-premises routers to establish BGP sessions.
Get Started with Azure ExpressRoute