Mastering Network Infrastructure in Azure: Design for On-premises Connectivity to Azure — Part 3: Azure Virtual WAN

Welcome to the third installment of our series on Mastering Network Infrastructure in Azure: Design for on-premises connectivity to Azure. This module introduces you to Azure Virtual WAN, a cornerstone of Azure’s networking services. It’s like a grand central station for your network’s connectivity, offering simplified pathways to Azure, on-premises data centers, and branch offices. Our goal is to equip you with the insights necessary to harness Azure Virtual WAN’s strengths in your network architecture.

Azure Virtual WAN: The Networking Nexus

Azure Virtual WAN is not just any feature in the Azure cloud. It works like the heart of your network, sending and receiving data smoothly between Azure’s different cloud regions, your local computer systems, and distant offices.

Decoding Azure Virtual WAN

• The Central Point: Azure Virtual WAN is where all parts of your network come together. It’s a shared area in Azure’s cloud where all your network paths meet, making it simple for every part of your network to communicate and use Azure’s services.
• Bringing Networks Together: Azure Virtual WAN acts like a power strip that connects all your different network services. It combines Azure services like Virtual Networks, VPN Gateways, and ExpressRoute, simplifying how you manage your network.
• Easy to Use: Azure Virtual WAN provides an easy-to-use dashboard that puts complex network controls in one spot. It gets rid of confusion and makes managing your network’s connections clear and straightforward.

Let’s paint a picture of this setup with a practical example.

Illustrating Azure Virtual WAN’s Connectivity Web

Think of your company like a busy city. Information moves all around it, just like cars and buses move around a city. Azure Virtual WAN is like the city’s bus system, moving data where it needs to go, safely and quickly

With this vivid picture in mind, let’s delve into Azure Virtual WAN’s practical applications.

Azure Virtual WAN in Action

Azure Virtual WAN’s flexibility shines through a multitude of use cases:

• Connecting Offices (Site-to-Site): Azure Virtual WAN uses ‘site-to-site’ connections to create a network like highways linking smaller offices (sites) to the main city — your central network in Azure’s cloud. This keeps your entire business network in sync and efficient.
• Linking with Azure (Point-to-Site and ExpressRoute): Azure Virtual WAN connects your on-premises networks directly to Azure. ‘Point-to-site’ connections let individual devices connect securely to Azure’s cloud, like a direct bus line to the city center. For a more consistent and high-speed connection, ‘ExpressRoute’ is like a dedicated train service that connects larger offices or data centers to Azure without going over the public internet.
• Worldwide Connections (Global VNet Peering): Azure Virtual WAN’s global reach means it can quickly connect your network to Azure regions across the planet. This is done through ‘global VNet peering’, which is like having direct flights between different cities worldwide, making travel (or data transfer) fast and direct.
• All-in-One Services: In Azure Virtual WAN, you can manage key network functions in one place. Tasks like security monitoring and traffic management are centralized, which makes your network simpler to manage and more secure from threats.

Azure Virtual WAN vs. Hub-Spoke Topology

Choosing the Right Network Setup in Azure

When you’re setting up your network in Azure, you have two main options to consider, depending on the size of your business and where your offices are located:

• Go for a Hub-and-Spoke Network: This is a good choice if your Azure setup isn’t too big or spread out. It’s like having a central office (the hub) with smaller offices around it (the spokes). Each office has its own connection to the central one. It’s straightforward and doesn’t cost a lot of money. It’s like a local bus system that connects different neighborhoods to a central shopping center.
• Opt for Azure Virtual WAN: This one is better if your business is big or if your offices are not just in one place but many different places. If you need to control the flow of data very precisely or if you want to have really good security, Azure Virtual WAN is the way to go. It’s like having a control tower in an airport that sees everything that’s going on and makes sure all the planes (data) go exactly where they need to. It’s also like having one big office where you can see and manage everything that’s happening in your network.

Remember, the choice between Hub-and-Spoke and Azure Virtual WAN will depend on the size and needs of your network. Smaller, simpler networks might do well with the Hub-and-Spoke model, while larger, more complex networks might benefit from the advanced features and central control of Azure Virtual WAN.

Wrapping Up

Azure Virtual WAN is a powerful tool for making your Azure cloud network simpler, safer, and more efficient. It ensures your network can support all your business needs, whether they’re local or global.

Looking ahead, our next module, “Mastering Network Infrastructure in Azure: Strategies for Optimizing Connectivity” will take us further into the intricacies of Azure’s networking capabilities. We’ll unpack how to connect different parts of your network most effectively and explore strategies that cater to specific business scenarios. So stay tuned for practical guidance and insights that will help you navigate the complex world of Azure networking with greater ease and expertise.