Azure virtual WAN

Azure virtual WAN is a networking solution based on SD-WAN that provides an automated branch-to-branch connectivity through the Azure backbone network. Virtual WAN allows to connect and configure branch devices to communicate with the Azure SD-WAN hub. This can be done manually, for not supported devices or by using preferred partner devices, where the configuration can be done automatically.

A list of supported devices, partner, and locations can be found here. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-locations-partners.

Using Microsoft partner devices allows to simplification of connectivity and configuration management. The Azure WAN built-in dashboard helps instant troubleshooting insights and gives you a way to get an overview about large-scale connectivity networks.

SD-WAN is an acronym for software-defined networking abstraction layer for wide area networks (WAN). An SD-WAN makes the management and operation of a WAN more simple by decoupling (separating) the WAN hardware from its control mechanism like MPLS, DSL, or even mobile protocols like LTE. This concept of SD-WAN is similar to software-defined networking implementation where virtualization technology improves data center management and operation. SD-WAN is meant to be the future of performant and cost efficient wide area networks.

The following drawing shows a schematic overview about the implementation Azure:

Because Azure vWAN is a very new service and still partly in preview. It is highly recommended to follow the documentation to stay on track about the capabilities and changes. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-about.

Please be aware, even if Microsoft delivers you a very powerful backbone, you still need good last mile providers. Those providers should have a very good latency to Azure and a lot of peering's with Microsoft within the area you want to use them.

Please be careful, not every big provider also has a good local network. Often they need to lease line from local MAN providers or especially in the international business from other providers. That makes those providers very expensive, less performant, and a bad choice for a good cloud connectivity.

Table of Contents for Azure virtual WAN

Create new playlist

Sign In

Sign Up

Table of Contents for
Azure virtual WAN