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3.4.3. Azure Front Door and CDN Security
💡 First Principle: Azure Front Door is a global, scalable entry point for web applications. It combines CDN capabilities with advanced security features like WAF and DDoS protection at the edge.
Scenario: You need SSL offloading at the global edge with routing to backend servers accessible only via internal load balancers.
Front Door vs. Application Gateway
| Aspect | Azure Front Door | Application Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Global (edge locations) | Regional |
| SSL Offloading | At the edge | At the gateway |
| Backend | Can route to internal LBs | VNet-connected only |
| Use Case | Global web applications | Regional applications |
⚠️ Exam Trap: Deploying Application Gateway when Front Door is needed for edge SSL offloading to internal backends. Front Door can route to internal load balancers via Private Link; Application Gateway cannot be deployed at the edge.
Written byAlvin Varughese
Founder•15 professional certifications