Arguably one of the biggest challenges companies face when moving to the cloud is ensuring secure, reliable connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments. Enter Azure ExpressRoute – a dedicated private network connection to facilitate secure data transfer between infrastructure in Azure data centers and your own data centers or facilities.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about ExpressRoute, including:
- What ExpressRoute is and its key capabilities
- ExpressRoute connectivity options
- Main benefits of using ExpressRoute
- ExpressRoute features
- How to set up and manage ExpressRoute connections
- ExpressRoute monitoring and troubleshooting best practices
So if you’re considering using ExpressRoute to transform your cloud network, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!
What is Azure ExpressRoute?
ExpressRoute is a cloud networking service offered by Microsoft within its Azure cloud platform. It consists of private, dedicated connections that extend your on-premises data center infrastructure into Azure or connect across Azure regions.
In other words, ExpressRoute creates a direct link between existing infrastructure controlled by your own organization (such as a physical data center, headquarters, branch office) and Azure data centers, bypassing the public internet.
Image source: Microsoft Azure
Unlike typical connections over the public internet, ExpressRoute connections don’t traverse the internet and are not shared across organizations. They create a dedicated private linkage just for your organization’s use case.
For context, think of ExpressRoute as a specialized road just for trucks (data) transporting goods between your company’s warehouse (on-prem infrastructure) and your buyer (Azure services). This dedicated ExpressRoute helps provide more control, security, speed and reliability versus a public highway where anyone can access and congestion can occur.
ExpressRoute enables connection speeds from 50 Mbps up to 100 Gbps based on the tier purchased to suit different use case needs. It was designed to facilitate secure, reliable connectivity especially for large, complex enterprise workloads involving huge data sets and real-time processing needs.
Common ExpressRoute use cases include:
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Hybrid cloud deployments: Extend existing data centers to Azure to run infrastructure seamlessly across environments for backup, disaster recovery, DevOps and more.
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High-performance workloads: Enable reliable, low-latency data transfer for real-time big data analytics, IoT, machine learning applications etc.
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Cloud migrations: Move large data sets, servers and applications to the public cloud over a secure, dedicated connection rather than the internet.
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Compliance: Meet rigorous security, latency and reliability requirements for industries like finance, healthcare and government.
Now that you know what ExpressRoute does at a high-level, let’s look at some examples of how it actually connects your infrastructure to Azure.
ExpressRoute Connectivity Options
ExpressRoute provides dedicated private connectivity through four main network architecture models. Choosing the right model depends on your infrastructure setup and connectivity requirements with Azure.
The four options are:
Point-to-point connections
A simple point-to-point connection involves establishing a dedicated private circuit between two endpoints only – for instance, an on-premises data center and Azure region.
This offers a straightforward way to transfer data securely between your infrastructure and the Azure cloud over an isolated link. You can opt for redundant connections across multiple Azure regions for improved performance and high availability.
Point-to-point circuits present a consistent, private network abstraction regardless of where the two connecting facilities are physically located. This makes it easy to replicate and scale environments across hybrid infrastructure seamlessly.
Image Source: Microsoft Azure
Any-to-any (IPVPN) connections
This model involves connecting your infrastructure through a regional Ethernet network or multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) provider. Rather than just one endpoint, an any-to-any connection facilitates linked connectivity to multiple sites and services.
In this case, you connect primary hubs like data centers and branch offices into a wide area network (WAN) run by an intermediary connectivity provider. This third-party operator essentially helps connect all the spokes of your infrastructure ecosystem together in a single private network.
You can then use virtual cross-connections over this common environment to access Azure regions and build out hybrid architectures simply. Microsoft takes care of the complex behind-the-scenes routing and availability configurations across the intermediary WAN.
Image Source: Microsoft Azure
ExpressRoute Direct
ExpressRoute Direct provides dedicated private connectivity through direct fiber links connecting your infrastructure to the Microsoft global network at Azure edge locations. This bypasses third-party connectivity providers, offering exclusive physical isolation and security.
Two ExpressRoute Direct capacity options are available depending on needs – 10 Gbps connections or 100 Gbps connections. As connections scale up through massive pipes, you get incredibly high throughput and low latency perfect for uses like high frequency trading, genomic sequencing, oil and gas simulations and more.
ExpressRoute Direct also enables precise control over power distributions to individual ports. This allows customizing connections across infrastructure accessed by multiple business units according to their unique needs.
Image Source: Microsoft Azure
ExpressRoute Global Reach
For organizations with distributed infrastructure in multiple regions, ExpressRoute Global Reach takes any-to-any connectivity to another level. It essentially links together ExpressRoute circuits across continents to securely transfer massive data anywhere in the world without hairpinning through the public internet.
Once configured, ExpressRoute circuits behave as one unified private WAN so you can replicate VMs, shift data and synchronize operations seamlessly across different geographies. This unlocks new potential for seamless hybrid architectures and widespread digital transformation initiatives.
Image Source: Microsoft Azure
Now that you understand ExpressRoute connectivity options, let’s look at the exclusive benefits this dedicated cloud network service provides compared to typical internet connections.
Key Benefits of ExpressRoute
ExpressRoute enables organizations to build Hybrid networks that span colocation facilities, on-premises IT infrastructure, and the Azure public cloud. Connections through ExpressRoute provide multiple advantages, including:
Enhanced Security
By provisioning private dedicated circuits, ExpressRoute keeps data off the public Internet for greater security and compliance with regulations. Connections do not traverse the internet, minimizing exposure to associated cyber threats and attacks.
Advanced layer 3 and layer 4 network and perimeter security controls can be implemented seamlessly for defense in depth. ExpressRoute also integrates transparently with existing security tools.
Lower Latency
Certain applications involve extremely time-sensitive transactions and operations where even the smallest millisecond delay matters immensely. ExpressRoute provides dedicated connectivity with consistent sub-2 millisecond latencies for such needs between distributed infrastructure. This is perfect for uses like IoT, streaming/gaming, algorithmic trading etc.
By contrast, average internet latency falls between 50-150+ ms putting constraints on hybrid application performance. Software-defined interconnectivity over ExpressRoute reliably outperforms MPLS and public internet hands down.
Increased Throughput
ExpressRoute offers connection bandwidths between 50 Mbps up to 100 Gbps based on your unique needs. By contrast, average bandwidth over consumer internet links ranges between 25-1000 Mbps.
The massive pipes facilitated by ExpressRoute suit data-intensive applications designed for the cloud involving big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning models etc. Hybrid environments must be able to support tremendous workloads, which dedicated connectivity makes possible.
Dynamic Scaling
Application demands can fluctuate widely, especially across cloud networks. ExpressRoute allows provisions for rapidly turning bandwidth needs up or down based on real-time resource utilization without disruptions. Sudden workload spike? Just increase circuit capacity on the fly.
This elasticity ensures high availability and seamless performance even as demands shift. By contrast, ordering additional MPLS connectivity can take weeks, creating business risk. ExpressRoute facilitates dynamic network scalability to match cloud service flexibility.
Compliance
Organizations in finance, healthcare, government etc. deal with sensitive data subject to rigorous compliance requirements that public internet infrastructure cannot satisfy.
ExpressRoute lets establish private networks that meet data residency, security controls and access policies needed to handle confidential data and regulated workloads compliantly. This makes achieving and maintaining continual accreditation feasible.
Clearly, ExpressRoute transcends public internet limitations to enable high-performance hybrid cloud architectures securely. Now let’s get into the exclusive capabilities it brings to the table.
Key Features and Tools
Beyond just connectivity, ExpressRoute unlocks additional features for building out and fine-tuning your hybrid networks:
Linking Azure Regions
ExpressRoute enables connecting infrastructure to Azure data centers across geographies based on application and data gravity needs. Latency requirements determine optimal region selection.
Available peering locations exist across major metros globally based on Azure region footprints. Certain ExpressRoute providers facilitate cross-continent connectivity through subsea cables enabling deliberate architecture designs.
ExpressRoute for Microsoft 365
Formerly Office 365, Microsoft 365 workload requirements differ from typical Azure services. So Microsoft developed ExpressRoute for Microsoft 365 to facilitate these demanding software-as-a-service needs at scale.
Dedicated connectivity to Microsoft 365 apps enhances user experiences worldwide by reducing latency, increasing download speeds etc. This is vital for ensuring workforce productivity and continuity during events like emergency remote work.
Zone Redundant Resiliency
Mission critical applications demand resilience against failures to maintain business continuity. Zone redundant ExpressRoute connections split connectivity across physical infrastructure within a region to limit single points of failure.
If one zone goes down, traffic instantly shifts to another available zone keeping operations running 24/7. Organizations can connect private infrastructure to Azure over multiple ExpressRoute links for added high availability and fault tolerance.
ExpressRoute Optimizer
The ExpressRoute Optimizer tool helps determine optimal ExpressRoute circuit bandwidth needs based on usage over the past 30 days.
Feeding in metrics like daily egress data transfer, Circuit Utilization Percentage, Bits In Per Second and Bits Out Per Second calculates ideal provisioning capacity. This ensures right-sizing circuits to workloads, facilitating efficiency and cost savings.
There are certainly lots of powerful features ExpressRoute puts at your fingertips. Now let’s run through what’s actually involved in setting up these dedicated connections.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up ExpressRoute
The exact steps to establish ExpressRoute connectivity can vary based on the provider and location(s) involved. However, the overall process follows this order:
1. Determine Technical Needs
Consider requirements like desired bandwidth throughput, latency tolerances, geography regions to connect, redundancy and high availability needs, and existing infrastructure ExpressRoute must integrate with. Technical limitations that could constrain implementation options.
This foundational analysis serves as the basis to identify the optimal ExpressRoute connectivity model and providers who can facilitate requisite capabilities.
Links and tools like the ExpressRoute Technical Requirements page and Azure Readiness Tool help assess preparedness.
2. Select Connectivity Partners
Microsoft partners with a multitude of colocation providers, network service providers and system integrators to deliver ExpressRoute globally. Leverage partners with reach in desired regions that provide the capabilities matching technical needs identified.
Be sure to validate servicers have capacity available on target availability timelines and whether one-time setup charges apply.
3. Define Network Architecture
Outline the circuits and peerings you want to establish between your infrastructure endpoints and Azure regions based on the connectivity model chosen. The defined schema and policies will determine security controls, traffic flows, routing options and redundancy.
Microsoft provides an interactive tool called the Azure Network Architecture Center to model architectures.
4. Procure & Provision ExpressRoute Circuit
Work with your designated connectivity partner(s) to purchase and deploy the physical ExpressRoute circuit(s) linking your infrastructure to the Microsoft Network globally.
Steps typically involve establishing BGP peering to enable dynamic route exchange, configuring circuits to satisfy bandwidth throughput and high availability requirements, and testing end-to-end connectivity.
5. Connect Azure Subscriptions
Within the Azure portal, link your relevant Azure subscription(s) hosting the applications, data and services you want to migrate over or integrate with ExpressRoute.
Define the authorization key to securely exchange route data between the two environments and specify peering preferences like private, public and Microsoft configurations.
Once the Azure-side setup is complete, data should flow seamlessly between infrastructure over the dedicated ExpressRoute connections!
While the above outlines the general order of operations, actual steps vary case by case. Leaning on technical specialists like cloud solution architects can smooth out planning and deployment.
Smooth ExpressRoute operations rely on active monitoring and troubleshooting. So let’s go over some recommended best practices.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting ExpressRoute
Like any mission-critical network link, you want to actively track ExpressRoute circuit metrics to optimize performance. Monitoring key parameters can also prevent or minimize downtime from potential issues:
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Utilization – Link usage should align to provisioned bandwidth tier to rightsize needs and avoid overages.
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Latency – Consistent low latency ensures suitable performance for uses like VoIP, video and real-time data applications.
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Packet Loss – Lost packets degrade throughput and can indicate faulty hardware needing replacement somewhere along the path.
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Availability – Track outage trends to improve circuit redundancy and failover capabilities.
Fortunately, ExpressRoute offers built-in monitoring and alerts within Azure. The Connection Monitor capability even proactively tests connections end-to-end automatically for common issues.
On top of real-time monitoring, following defined troubleshooting methodology helps resolve incidents quickly. Standard protocols around triaging the issue, isolating the root cause, repairing faults and validating resolution should be established.
Troubleshooting references like Microsoft’s ExpressRoute Troubleshooting Guide provide step-by-step processes. Make sure to document learnings from any incidents for continuous improvement.
Implementing robust monitoring and support ensures your ExpressRoute connectivity lives up to reliability, security and performance expectations while fulfilling business needs.
Key Takeaways
Here are the critical things to know about ExpressRoute based on everything we just covered:
- ExpressRoute facilitates dedicated private connections between on-premises infrastructure (data centers, offices) and Azure data centers through partners globally.
- Connectivity models include point-to-point circuits, any-to-any links and direct cloud access via ExpressRoute Direct.
- Key benefits over internet connections are security, low consistent latency, massive bandwidth and dynamic control.
- Features like redundancy zones, route exchange through peering and real-time monitoring optimize hybrid networks.
- Following structured architecture planning, procuring circuits through partners and systematic configurations sets up ExpressRoute smoothly.
Clearly, ExpressRoute presents a compelling way for enterprises to extend existing infrastructure securely into the Microsoft cloud. The optimized dedicated connectivity unlocks hybrid network possibilities aligning to cyber priorities and application performance needs.
As cloud adoption continues accelerating into 2023, investing in capable network infrastructure like ExpressRoute for digital initiatives looks crucial according to most industry reports. With major connectivity updates like ExpressRoute Direct also recently launched, Microsoft looks committed to cloud success through flexible infrastructure partnerships.
Hopefully this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of ExpressRoute capabilities so you can assess fit. Feel free to leverage the links and resources provided for additional technical details or cost calculations. With the right architectural vision, ExpressRoute delivers the modern hybrid networks needed to stay competitive today.
