Design & implement azure ExpressRoute Flashcards
What is ExpressRoute and what does it offer?
ExpressRoute extends on-premises networks into the Microsoft cloud over a private connection with the help of a connectivity provider. ExpressRoute establishes connections to various Microsoft cloud services, such as Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365.
It offers more reliability, faster speeds, consistent latencies, and higher security.
What type of connections can form ER?
Connectivity can be from an any-to-any (IP VPN) network, a point-to-point Ethernet network, or a virtual cross-connection through a connectivity provider at a colocation facility.
Name and briefly explain 4 use cases for ER in azure.
- Faster and Reliable connection to Azure services - Organizations using Azure services look for reliable connections to Azure services and data centers. Public internet is dependent upon many factors and may not be suitable for a business. Using ExpressRoute connections to transfer data between on-premises systems and Azure can also give significant cost benefits.
- Storage, backup, and Recovery - Backup and Recovery are important for an organization for business continuity and recovering from outages. ExpressRoute gives you a fast and reliable connection to Azure with bandwidths up to 100 Gbps. ExpressRoute is excellent for scenarios such as periodic data migration, replication for business continuity, disaster recovery, and other high-availability strategies.
- Extends Data center capabilities - ExpressRoute can be used to connect and add compute and storage capacity to your existing data centers. With high throughput and fast latencies, Azure feels like a natural extension to or between your data centers, so you enjoy the scale and economics of the public cloud without having to compromise on network performance.
- Predictable, reliable, and high-throughput connections - With predictable, reliable, and high-throughput connections offered by ExpressRoute, enterprises can build applications that span on-premises infrastructure and Azure without compromising privacy or performance.
What are the 4 connectivity models for ER?
- Co-located at a cloud exchange
In a facility with a cloud exchange, virtual cross-connections to the Microsoft cloud are provided through the colocation provider’s Ethernet exchange. Colocation providers can offer either Layer 2 cross-connections, or managed Layer 3 cross-connections between your infrastructure in the colocation facility and the Microsoft cloud.
- Point-to-point Ethernet connections
Point-to-point Ethernet providers can offer Layer 2 connections, or managed Layer 3 connections between your site and the Microsoft cloud.
- Any-to-any (IPVPN) networks
IPVPN providers offer any-to-any connectivity between your branch offices and datacenters. The Microsoft cloud can be interconnected to your WAN to make it look just like any other branch office. WAN providers typically offer managed Layer 3 connectivity.
- Direct from ExpressRoute sites
ExpressRoute Direct provides dual 100 Gbps or 10-Gbps connectivity, which supports Active/Active connectivity at scale.
Name the differences between ER service provider & ER Direct.
Name and describe the 2 ways in which redundancy can be deployed for ER.
- Configure ExpressRoute and site to site coexisting connections
Configuring Site-to-Site VPN and ExpressRoute coexisting connections has several advantages:
A Site-to-Site VPN is a secure failover path for ExpressRoute.
Site-to-Site VPNs to connect to sites that aren’t connected through ExpressRoute.
No downtime occurs when adding a new gateway or gateway connection.
- Create a zone redundant virtual network gateway in Azure availability zones
You can deploy VPN and ExpressRoute gateways in Azure Availability Zones. Deploying gateways in Azure Availability Zones physically and logically separates gateways within a region, while protecting your on-premises network connectivity to Azure from zone-level failures.
2 types are Zone-redundant gateways & Zonal gateways
How are Zone-Redundant & Zonal gateway SKUs identified?
You can identify these SKUs by the “AZ” in the SKU name.
What PIP SKU do both ZR & Zonal GWs rely on?
Zone-redundant gateways and zonal gateways both rely on the Azure public IP resource Standard SKU. The configuration of the Azure public IP resource determines whether the gateway that you deploy is zone-redundant, or zonal.
What are the 3 ER circuit SKUs?
- Local SKU - With Local SKU, you’re automatically charged with an Unlimited data plan.
- Standard and Premium SKU - You can select between a Metered or an Unlimited data plan. All ingress data are free of charge except when using the Global Reach add-on.
What is the difference between an Azure region & an ER peering location?
Azure regions are global datacenters where Azure compute, networking, and storage resources are located. The resource location determines which Azure datacenter (or availability zone) the resource is created in.
ExpressRoute locations (sometimes referred to as peering locations or meet-me-locations) are colocation facilities where Microsoft Enterprise Edge (MSEE) devices are located. ExpressRoute locations are the entry point to Microsoft’s network – and are globally distributed, providing customers the opportunity to connect to Microsoft’s network around the world.
What other options are available for customers without fibre-connectivity as an option?
- Other service providers
- Datacenter providers
- National Research and Education networks (NERN)
- System integrators
How would you go about choosing the right ER circuit & billing model?
- evaluate the current usage and determine how much data is used monthly to start with.
- The next step is to figure out which of the available ExpressRoute is the best choice depending upon the requirements of the Enterprise keeping in mind the budget and SLA requirements.
- Decide between the Local, Standard, and Premium SKUs.
