Cisco Integration with Azure Virtual WAN
Overview
Azure Virtual WAN provides a unified, optimized, and automated hub-and-spoke architecture for interconnecting your on‑premises networks and branch offices. Cisco’s routing and security solutions integrate seamlessly with Virtual WAN, enabling high‑performance, secure, and resilient connectivity across your hybrid environment.
- Secure, encrypted IPSec tunnels between Cisco ISR/ASR devices and Azure hubs.
- Automated route exchange via BGP.
- Unified monitoring through Azure Monitor and Cisco DNA Center.
Key Benefits
- Scalable Connectivity – Connect thousands of branch locations with a single logical architecture.
- Reduced OPEX – Simplify operations with Azure’s managed hub and automated provisioning.
- Enhanced Security – Leverage Azure Firewall, Cisco ASA/Firepower, and encrypted tunnels.
- Performance Optimization – Integrated Azure backbone with Cisco SD‑WAN for low latency.
Configuration Guide
Follow the steps below to establish a Cisco‑Azure Virtual WAN connection.
- Create a Virtual WAN resource in the Azure portal.
- Deploy a Virtual Hub and enable the VPN gateway SKU.
- Generate a pre‑shared key (PSK) for the IPSec tunnel.
- On your Cisco ISR/ASR, configure the following:
!
interface Tunnel0
description Azure-VPN
ip address 10.10.0.1 255.255.255.252
tunnel source GigabitEthernet0/0/0
tunnel destination <AZURE_VPN_GATEWAY_IP>
tunnel mode ipsec ipv4
tunnel protection ipsec profile AZURE-PROFILE
!
crypto ikev2 proposal AZURE-PROPOSAL
encryption aes-cbc-256
integrity sha256
group 21
!
crypto ikev2 policy AZURE-POLICY
proposal AZURE-PROPOSAL
!
crypto ikev2 keyring AZURE-KEYRING
peer AZURE
address <AZURE_VPN_GATEWAY_IP>
pre-shared-key <YOUR_PSK>
!
crypto ipsec transform-set AZURE-TRANSFORM esp-aes 256 esp-sha256-hmac
!
crypto ipsec profile AZURE-PROFILE
set transform-set AZURE-TRANSFORM
set ikev2 ipsec-proposal AZURE-PROPOSAL
set pfs group21
!
router bgp <YOUR_ASN>
neighbor <AZURE_HUB_BGP_IP> remote-as <AZURE_ASN>
address-family ipv4 unicast
neighbor <AZURE_HUB_BGP_IP> activate
exit-address-family
!
After applying the configuration, verify the tunnel status:
show crypto ipsec sa
show tunnel interface
show bgp summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a static public IP for the Cisco device?
Yes, the VPN gateway requires a publicly routable IP address to establish the IPSec tunnel.
Can I use Azure ExpressRoute with Cisco routers?
Absolutely. ExpressRoute can be combined with Virtual WAN hubs for private, high‑throughput connectivity.
How is routing policy handled?
BGP is the default routing protocol. You can control route propagation using Azure route tables and Cisco route-maps.