We have learned that VPNs are not unknown to the world of cloud computing. A VPC or Virtual Private Cloud is a private cloud within a public one. This amply explains the implementation of VPN in and as a cloud-based product. Also, don’t forget that VPN is essentially a virtual technology that exists solely on the internet. Thus, today we will gander at one of the largest cloud-based computing platforms available in our time Azure, and analyze what VPN types it supports.
This Microsoft-owned public cloud is a bundle of wonders. It can augment the VPN technology seamlessly. But then a question arises, which VPN types does Azure support? If you are interested in cloud computing and eager to find out the answer, continue reading. Today’s article will cover Azure and discuss the various types of VPN it supports.
Disclaimer – This analysis is only an introduction regarding Azure as a technology. Remember that it is a commercial product and needs more research before employing it within your business.
What is Azure?
To understand Azure, we have to look at its history first. Previously known as the Windows Azure, Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based platform that offers hundreds of products and services. Presently, it reigns as the number 2 in cloud computing, behind Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Computing Services (GCP). The process started back in 2008 when the platform was released. Then in 2009, the developers launched the relevant database and other necessary features like Java, SQL, PHP, CDN, etc. Finally, it hit the market in early 2010.
Over the years, the developers have added tons of services and products to make this service exciting and attractive. These years witnessed the evolution of Windows Azure into the Microsoft brand. To understand how Azure works, one first needs an understanding of cloud computing, since it’s essentially a public cloud computing platform.
However, it offers solutions including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). They can be subject to services such as analytics, virtual computing, storage, networking, and much more. It can also replace or supplement on-premise servers. The Azure platform can help businesses and has tools that can support universal industries. As such, many regard the platform as flexible and multifaceted. Given below are some facts corroborating this platform:
- Flexible — Azure can handle different resources and needs with ease.
- Open — It can support almost every operating system, framework, language, or tool.
- Reliable — The SLA (service-level agreement) availability recorded on the platform is an astounding 99.95%. Combine it with 24/7 support, and you will find Azure dependable.
- Global — While the data gets housed in geosynchronous data centers, the approach to the platform is global.
- Economical — The best thing about Azure must be that you pay what you use.
What can it do for you?
Azure has hundreds of products and services to offer, on top of dozens of features that can aid businesses in nearly limitless ways. We can round up these features and services into dozens of categories. However, the rudimentary working of Azure is subject to a description of a few key points:
- Enhancing and implementing backup and disaster recovery — Azure is a dream come true for backup and disaster recovery tools. Since it is a cloud-based solution, Azure is innately flexible in its dealings. It can back up your data in almost any language or OS and from any location. Similarly, the site recovery of Azure can enhance tape backups with offsite replications and minimal onsite maintenance. Lastly, Azure’s built-in integration for the additional backup will be quick and hassle-free in a Windows Virtual Environment.
- Capability to host and develop web/mobile applications — Azure can help make apps autonomous and adaptive. Automatic patch management can reduce your maintenance time, allowing you to focus on improving apps. Autoscale can adjust your resources based on customer traffic, making it a wonderful tool for developers. Lastly, you can seamlessly link your web app to an on-premise app.
- Distributing or supplementing Active Directory — Azure can integrate with an Active Directory. Thus, it can easily “supplement” your identity and access capabilities. In short, it can give your DNS a global reach, centralized management, and robust security. In this regard, Azure has already left other cloud competitors behind.
- Innovative and industrious IoT solutions — The scalability, flexibility, and security of Azure make it the perfect cloud computing platform. It has an integrated solution for all your IoT (Internet of Things) needs. Within the Azure IoT Hub, you can monitor and manage billions of IoT devices. Therefore, it can improve customer experiences, reduce complexities, lower costs, and speed up developments.
Features and services of Microsoft Azure
The various services Azure offers are as follows:
- Compute
- Mobile
- Web
- Storage
- Analytics
- Networking
- Media and Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- Integration
- Identity
- IoT
- DevOps
- Development
- Security
- AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine learning
- Containers
- Database
- Migration
- Management and governance
- Mixed Reality
- Blockchain
- Intune
The features are:
- Application development
- Testing
- Application hosting
- Creating VM (virtual machines)
- Integrate and sync
- Metric collection
- VHD (virtual hard drives)
- Cloud computing services
- Website development
- Data management
- Media streaming
What VPN types Azure supports?
Azure supports five different VPN types:
- Site-to-site: It is a VPN connection over IPsec with IKE (v1 or v2). It requires a VPN device or RRAS (Routing and Remote Access Service).
- Point-to-site: It is a VPN connection over SSTP or IKEv2/IPsec. It doesn’t require external devices.
- Multi-site: A variation of site-to-site VPN.
- VNet-to-VNet: It is a recent implementation of site-to-site VPN without reliance on an external device. It uses the same security protocols.
- ExpressRoute: It is a VPN on a private network but connects a WAN (Wide Area Network) instead of a LAN (Local Area Network).
These VPNs either use the industry-standard IKEv2 over IPsec or OpenVPN VPN protocols. However, SSTP, Microsoft’s proprietary protocol, is often used with Azure VPN gateways.
Site-to-site VPN
S2S (site-to-site) is the primary VPN type that Azure supports. It is a network-to-network connection that can create a secure communication channel between your VPN network and an on-premise site. However, it is limited to a physical and fixed location. That is why this type of VPN is most suited for branch offices and such. Furthermore, the S2S VPN implementation is old and newer, and advanced VPNs have taken their place, be it VNet-to-VNet or Multi-site. Another crucial drawback of S2S is the reliance on a physical and external VPN device.
Point-to-site VPN
A P2S (point-to-site) VPN allows you to create a secure VPN connection between your individual Windows computer and Azure without relying on any special software/hardware. It is a host-to-network connection, i.e., individual-to-network. Azure provides the security policies you download on your Windows PC and use the VPN via the Windows in-built VPN client. It is easy to use and secure. However, the preferred protocol for P2S is SSTP.
P2S VPN needs prior authentication to work. As such, it uses two methods to authenticate users:
- Azure certificate authentication
- Azure Active Directory authentication
Multi-site VPN
It is the latest implementation of S2S VPN. It functions the same way as S2S VPN, i.e., it can connect and integrate multiple physical branches to the central network via Azure VPN gateway. However, it doesn’t rely on any external devices. The primary difference between MSVPN and an S2S VPN is that the former can connect multiple sites simultaneously. The latter, on the other hand, can connect only one location at a time.
ExpressRoute
Instead of a VPN, ExpressRoute is more like a private WAN. Meaning, it connects Azure to a WAN over a private network rather than connecting Azure to a LAN over a public one. It offers better security, reliability, and speed. It also allows you to connect to any region, multiple networks (VPNs included), numerous sites with a single subscription, and even create your exclusive VPN router.
VNet-to-VNet VPN
It is the latest iteration of S2S VPNs that finally allows you to connect virtual locations instead of limiting yourself to physical ones. With that in mind, it’s no surprise it works as a remote access VPN.