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2.1.3. Public IP Addresses
Public IPs provide internet-routable addresses for Azure resources. Understanding SKUs and prefixes is essential for the exam.
Public IP SKUs:
| Feature | Basic | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Availability zones | No | Zone-redundant by default |
| Routing preference | Internet only | Internet or Microsoft network |
| Dynamic/Static | Both | Static only |
| Security | Open by default | Closed by default (requires NSG) |
| Load balancer support | Basic only | Standard only |
đź’ˇ First Principle: Always use Standard SKU for production workloads. Basic SKU lacks zone redundancy and will be retired.
Public IP Address Prefixes:
A prefix reserves a contiguous range of public IPs. Use cases:
- Consistent source IP for firewalls – Allowlist a single CIDR range
- Predictable outbound IPs – NAT Gateway with known IPs
- Compliance requirements – Document and audit your public IPs
BYOIP (Bring Your Own IP): You can bring your own IP ranges to Azure if you:
- Own the IP range (can prove via RIR records)
- Range is at least /24
- Create a custom prefix and commission it
⚠️ Exam Trap: Public IP prefixes cannot be resized after creation. Plan size carefully—you're committing to that range.
Written byAlvin Varughese
Founder•15 professional certifications