5.1.3. Implement Connectivity Between Networks

💡 First Principle: Securely and efficiently extending network boundaries is fundamental for enabling seamless communication across distributed applications, hybrid cloud environments, and disaster recovery scenarios.

Scenario: You need to connect several Virtual Networks within Azure for a multi-tier application. You also need to establish a secure connection from your on-premises data center to your Azure Virtual Network. For critical high-bandwidth workloads, you might need a dedicated private connection.

This task delves into the practical application of network connectivity solutions. You'll explore how to:

• Configure VNet Peering: Establish seamless, secure, and high-performance private connectivity between distinct Virtual Networks (VNets).
• Configure VPN Gateway: Enable secure, encrypted communication between your on-premises network and Azure VNets.
• Configure ExpressRoute: Provide private, dedicated network connections between your on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure datacenters.

Mastering these concepts is crucial for the AZ-104 exam, as it assesses your ability to implement various network connectivity strategies.

⚠️ Common Pitfall: Using VNet Peering to create a complex mesh of connections between many VNets. This becomes unmanageable. A hub-and-spoke topology with a central VNet is a better design.

Key Trade-Offs:

• Performance/Security (ExpressRoute) vs. Cost/Flexibility (VPN): ExpressRoute offers superior, consistent performance and security but comes with higher costs and longer setup times. A VPN is cheaper and faster to deploy but relies on the public internet.

Reflection Question: How do VNet peering, VPN Gateway, and ExpressRoute collectively provide a spectrum of secure and efficient connectivity solutions, fundamentally enabling seamless communication between various network segments (within Azure and hybrid) for diverse application needs?