Azure Virtual Network

What Is an Azure Virtual Network, And How Does It Work?

 In the cloud, an Azure Virtual Network (VNet) is a network or environment that may be used to operate virtual machines and applications. The Azure network’s services and Virtual Machines communicate securely once it’s been set up.

Azure Virtual Network’s Benefits

The following are some of the most significant benefits of utilizing Microsoft Azure VNet:

• It gives your programs a secure environment to run in.
• By default, a VNet subnet can connect to the internet.
• We can simply reroute traffic away from resources.
• It’s a safe network.
• It has a strong network connection.
• It straightforwardly creates complex network topologies.

Figure 1-01-:  Azure Virtual Network

Azure VNet Components

Azure VNet networking components provide a wide range of functions that can assist businesses in developing cost-effective cloud applications that match their needs.

The components of Azure Networking are outlined below, and we have extensive explanations for each of them:

1. Subnets
2. Routing 
3. Network Security Groups 

1. Subnets

• Users can divide the virtual network into one or more sub-networks using subnets.
• These sub-networks can be logically divided, with each subnet containing a server.

A subnet can be further divided into two types:

• Private 
• Public

Private

Instances can connect to the Internet via the public subnet’s NAT (Network Address Translation) gateway.

Public

Instances have direct internet access.

2. Routing

• It sends the data by taking the most efficient route from source to destination.
• The virtual network produces a routing table and automatically directs traffic for each subnet.

3. Security Groups On The Internet

• It’s a firewall that keeps network traffic to a minimum and safeguards the virtual computer.
• It controls the inbound and outbound network traffic based on the IP addresses, ports, and protocols of the destinations.

How To Use Azure VNet To Launch An Instance

Figure 1-02-:  Use Of Azure VNet

• First, in the Azure cloud, create a virtual network.
• Next, create subnets into each virtual network.
• Assign each subnet to the appropriate instance or Virtual Machine now.
• The instance can then be connected to an appropriate Network Security Group.
• Finally, specify the network security settings and policies.
• As a result, you’ll be able to start your Azure instance.

Why Would You Want To Use An Azure Virtual Network?

Azure resources can securely connect with one other, the internet, and on-premises networks thanks to the Azure virtual network. Communication of Azure resources with the internet, connection with Azure resources, communication with on-premises resources, filtering network traffic, routing network traffic, and integration with Azure services are all scenarios that can be accomplished with a virtual network.

Using The Internet For Communication

By default, all resources in a VNet can communicate with the internet. A public IP address or a public Load Balancer can be used to communicate inbound to a resource. Outbound connections can also be managed using a public IP or a public Load Balancer.

Interact With Azure Resources

One of the following methods is used to securely interact between Azure resources:

1. Through A Virtual Network

You can use a virtual network to deploy VMs and other Azure resources like Azure App Service Environments, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets.

2. Through A Virtual Network Service Endpoint 

Use a direct connection to extend your virtual network’s private address space and identity to Azure service resources like Azure Storage accounts and Azure SQL Database. Service endpoints enable you to limit access to your Azure service resources to a single virtual network.

3. Using Virtual Network Peering

You can connect virtual networks, allowing resources in either virtual network to communicate with one another. You can link virtual networks in the same Azure area or other Azure regions.

4. Use On-Premises Resources To Communicate

Any combination of the following options can be used to link your on-premises computers and networks to a virtual network:

• Site-To-Site VPN

 This type of VPN is set up between your on-premises VPN device and an Azure VPN Gateway that is part of a virtual network. Any on-premises resource that you approve can connect to a virtual network using this connection type. The connection between your on-premises VPN device and an Azure VPN gateway takes place over the internet via an encrypted tunnel.

• Point-To-Site VPN

A VPN gateway connection that is point-to-site (P2S) allows you to establish a secure connection to your virtual network from a single client machine. Starting a P2S connection from the client computer is the first step. Telecommuters who want to connect to Azure VNets from a remote place, such as home or a conference, will find this option beneficial. When you simply have a few clients who need to connect to a VNet, P2S VPN can be a good alternative to S2S VPN.

Figure 1-03-:  Point-To-Site VPN

• Through An ExpressRoute Partner

A connection is established between your network and Azure. This is a secure connection. The internet does not carry traffic.

5. Filter Internet Traffic

 You can use one or both of the following settings to filter network traffic between subnets:

• Network Security Groups

Multiple inbound and outbound security rules can be found in network security groups and application security groups, allowing you to restrict traffic to and from resources by source and destination IP address, port, and protocol.

• Network Virtual Appliances

A network virtual appliance is a virtual machine that performs a network function, such as firewalls, WAN optimization, or any other network function.

Figure 1-04-:  Virtual Network For Azure Services

6. Network Traffic Should Be Routed

By default, Azure traffic is routed between subnets, connected virtual networks, on-premises networks, and the Internet. To alter Azure’s default routes, you can use any or both of the following options:

• Route Tables 

For each subnet, you can define custom route tables with routes that regulate where traffic is directed.

• Border Gateway Protocol (BGP routes)

If you use an Azure VPN Gateway or ExpressRoute connection to connect your virtual network to your on-premises network, you can propagate your on-premises BGP routes to your virtual networks.

7. Azure Service Integration With A Virtual Network

Integrating Azure services with an Azure virtual network allows virtual machines or computational resources in the virtual network to have private access to the service. The following options are available for integrating Azure services into your virtual network:

• Using a virtual network to deploy dedicated instances of the service. Within the virtual network and from on-premises networks, the services can then be accessed privately.
• Using Private Link, you can access a specific instance of the service discreetly from both your virtual and on-premises networks.

Conclusion

We learned everything there is to know about Microsoft Azure VNet and its benefits, as well as the components of Azure VNet, how Machine Learning works with SageMaker, how to launch an instance using Azure VNet, and how to create an Azure virtual machine and virtual network.

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