Azure Virtual WAN Networking - ExpressRoute Integration

ExpressRoute Integration with Azure Virtual WAN

Azure Virtual WAN provides a unified, scaled-out networking architecture for Azure and on-premises connectivity. ExpressRoute, Microsoft's private connectivity solution, can be seamlessly integrated with Virtual WAN to establish high-throughput, low-latency connections between your on-premises environments and Azure.

Benefits of ExpressRoute with Virtual WAN

High Bandwidth and Predictable Performance: Bypass the public internet for more reliable and consistent network performance.
Enhanced Security: Traffic is routed privately, reducing exposure to public internet threats.
Scalability: Easily scale your network to accommodate growing bandwidth needs.
Simplified Management: Virtual WAN provides a central point of management for all your network connections, including ExpressRoute circuits.
Global Reach: Connect to Azure regions worldwide through Microsoft's global network.

Key Concepts

When integrating ExpressRoute with Virtual WAN, consider the following:

ExpressRoute Circuits: These are the physical connections you provision with a connectivity provider.
Virtual Network Gateway (ExpressRoute Gateway): A dedicated gateway in your Virtual WAN hub that connects to your ExpressRoute circuits.
Connection: A resource that links your ExpressRoute circuit to your Virtual WAN hub's ExpressRoute gateway.
Peering: Exchange routes between your on-premises network and Azure via ExpressRoute. Virtual WAN supports private peering.

Steps for Integration

The process of integrating an ExpressRoute circuit with Azure Virtual WAN typically involves these high-level steps:

Provision an ExpressRoute Circuit: Work with a supported ExpressRoute partner to establish a physical circuit.
Create a Virtual WAN Hub: If you haven't already, create a Virtual WAN resource and then deploy a hub in the desired Azure region.
Create an ExpressRoute Gateway: Within your Virtual WAN hub, deploy an ExpressRoute gateway. You'll select a SKU that determines the available bandwidth and number of connections.
Establish the Connection: Create a new 'ExpressRoute connection' resource within your Virtual WAN hub. This connection will link your provisioned ExpressRoute circuit to the ExpressRoute gateway in the hub. You will need to specify the correct peering location and potentially BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) information.
Configure Routing: Ensure that your on-premises routers are configured to exchange routes with the ExpressRoute gateway using BGP. Virtual WAN will automatically advertise connected VNet routes to your on-premises network.

Example Configuration Snippet (Conceptual)

Below is a conceptual representation of how you might configure the connection:

                    
# Example Azure CLI snippet (for illustrative purposes)

# Assuming you have a Virtual WAN Hub and an ExpressRoute Circuit resource
# and a Circuit ID (e.g., /subscriptions/.../resourceGroups/.../providers/Microsoft.Network/expressRouteCircuits/myExpressRouteCircuit)

az network vwan express-route-connection create \
    --name MyVwanExpressRouteConnection \
    --resource-group MyResourceGroup \
    --virtual-wan-hub MyVirtualWanHub \
    --express-route-circuit "YOUR_EXPRESS_ROUTE_CIRCUIT_ID" \
    --routing-weight 10 \
    --connection-type ExpressRoute
                    
                

Important Considerations

Ensure your connectivity provider supports ExpressRoute Direct or colocation services that align with your Virtual WAN hub location.
Understand the SKU options for ExpressRoute gateways and choose one that meets your bandwidth and performance requirements.
Review the ExpressRoute peering locations to ensure compatibility with your Virtual WAN hub's region.
Monitor your ExpressRoute circuit and gateway performance through the Azure portal.

By leveraging ExpressRoute with Azure Virtual WAN, you can build a robust and highly available network foundation for your cloud and hybrid deployments.