Cloud networks are an important and essential part of cloud computing. They enable communication between (cloud) based applications, services and work processes. Microsoft Azure, one of the largest providers of cloud services, offers a range of networking services to support the use and management of workloads in the cloud.

Azure Networking is a collection of networking services that can be used to optimally set up, secure and manage your cloud infrastructure. Whether you want to manage your own networks, implement security measures, or optimize your network performance, Azure Networking provides the tools you need. In this article, we'll discuss the key components of Azure Networking and explain how you can use them to build robust networking solutions that fit your organization's specific needs and requirements.

Networking in Azure

Networking in Azure is at the core of many (cloud) services. They ensure that all services and resources inside and outside the Azure ecosystem can communicate with each other smoothly. This networking provides connectivity, scalability and security. Here we discuss how to create, manage and optimize virtual networks, subnets, load balancers, VPNs and network security groups.

The basics of Azure Virtual Networks and Subnets

Azure Virtual Networks (VNet) allow you to create your own private space in Azure. This is similar to a traditional network in your own data center, but with the benefits of Azure's scalable infrastructure. A VNet gives you complete control over your network, from IP addresses to subnet settings.

Subnets split your VNet into smaller parts, allowing you to separate different parts of your network, such as for Web servers, databases or application servers. This is important for both security and organization because it allows you to precisely control which parts of your network communicate with each other.

Use of Azure Load Balancers for high availability

The Azure Load Balancer distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers. This ensures that applications always remain available and fast. It distributes the load so that no server is overloaded, and redirects traffic to available servers if one fails.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in Azure

Azure VPN Gateway enables a secure connection between your local network and the Azure cloud. This is important when you want to run applications in Azure that need access to your local resources. There are several VPN options, such as connections for individual devices (Point-to-Site) or for entire networks (Site-to-Site).

Network security groups (NSGs) for additional security.

Network Security Groups (NSGs) are a security feature of Azure that control incoming and outgoing traffic to your virtual machines (VMs) and subnets. NSGs act as a firewall, allowing you to determine what traffic is allowed based on IP address, port and protocol. This helps establish a strong security structure for your cloud environment.

Categories of Azure connectivity

Azure connectivity can be categorized into three network resources based on where network traffic is initiated:

1.To Azure (Ingress)
Ingress addresses all network traffic entering your Azure infrastructure. This includes traffic from your office locations or public locations to your Azure resources. Typical solutions include site-to-site (S2S) or point-to-site (P2S) connections over the Internet or Azure ExpressRoute connections through connectivity service providers.

2.From Azure (Egress)
Egress addresses all network traffic leaving your Azure infrastructure, for example, traffic to Internet services such as Microsoft 365 and other SaaS services.

3.In Azure
This includes all network traffic within your Azure infrastructure, such as communication between virtual machines and other Azure resources within the same VNet or between different VNets.

Service Demarcation Point: Azure Edge Network

The service demarcation point is the Azure Edge Network, the boundary where Azure Networking connects to other networks that are not in Azure. The Azure Edge Network uses ExpressRoute or Internet peering to connect the Internet or an enterprise network to Azure. It is the entry point for network traffic entering your Azure infrastructure. Connectivity beyond the Azure Edge Network relies on service providers to set up the connections.

 Added value of Azure Networking

• Boost performance: Azure Networking improves performance by leveraging high-performance networking and edge intelligence.
• Zero Trust Model: Secure your data with a Zero Trust model that ensures that all network traffic, both inside and outside Azure, is continuously monitored and protected.
• Easy management: With Virtual Networks, ExpressRoute and Network Security Groups, you can easily manage your network and ensure optimal performance.
• Consistent user experience: Ensure a consistent and reliable user experience by leveraging Azure's networking solutions designed for high availability and low latency.