It is also possible to host the server on a pre-defined virtual network. This is a relatively new feature in Azure. This helps in accessing data within SQL Server from application on another server of the virtual network without the request going through the internet.

For this, a service endpoint of the Microsoft.Sql type should be added within the virtual network, and the virtual network should be in the same region as that of Azure SQL:

An appropriate subnet within the virtual networks should be chosen:

Finally, from the Azure SQL Server configuration blade, an existing virtual network should be added that has a Microsoft.Sql service endpoint enabled: