Azure Networking Services Overview
Azure networking provides a comprehensive set of cloud networking capabilities to build, deploy, and manage applications and services. It enables secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity within Azure, to your on-premises environments, and to the internet.
Core Networking Concepts
Understanding the fundamental building blocks of Azure networking is crucial for designing robust and scalable solutions. Key concepts include:
-
Virtual Network (VNet)
A logically isolated network in Azure that allows you to create your own private network space.
-
Subnets
Segments of a VNet that enable you to partition your virtual network into smaller, manageable address spaces.
-
IP Addressing
Both public and private IP address options for resources within Azure, including dynamic and static assignments.
-
Network Security Groups (NSGs)
Firewall-as-a-service that allows you to filter network traffic to and from Azure resources in an Azure virtual network.
-
Azure Firewall
A managed, cloud-based network security service that protects your Azure Virtual Network resources.
-
Load Balancer
Distributes incoming traffic across multiple virtual machines or services to ensure high availability and performance.
Key Azure Networking Services
Azure offers a wide array of services to meet diverse networking needs:
Virtual Network (VNet)
The foundational service for creating isolated and secure private networks in the cloud. Enables resource communication, isolation, and hybrid connectivity.
Learn More →Load Balancer
Provides high availability and application scalability by distributing incoming traffic. Supports Layer 4 (TCP/UDP) load balancing.
Learn More →Application Gateway
A web traffic load balancer that enables you to manage traffic to your web applications. Offers Layer 7 load balancing, SSL termination, and Web Application Firewall (WAF).
Learn More →Azure VPN Gateway
Enables secure cross-premises connectivity by connecting your on-premises networks to Azure VNets via VPN tunnels.
Learn More →Azure ExpressRoute
Provides dedicated, private connections between your on-premises infrastructure and Azure, bypassing the public internet for higher security and performance.
Learn More →Azure Firewall
A cloud-native network security service that protects your Azure Virtual Network resources. It's a managed, cloud-based network security service that protects your Azure Virtual Network resources.
Learn More →Azure DNS
A hosting service for DNS domains that provides name resolution using Microsoft Azure infrastructure.
Learn More →Connectivity Scenarios
Azure networking facilitates various connectivity patterns:
- Connecting resources within Azure: Secure communication between VMs and services within the same or different VNets.
- Connecting Azure to on-premises: Hybrid solutions using VPN Gateway or ExpressRoute for seamless integration.
- Connecting to the internet: Enabling secure inbound and outbound internet access for your cloud applications.
- Global connectivity: Utilizing Azure's global network backbone for low-latency, high-bandwidth connections across regions.