Introduction to Azure Virtual WAN Presentation

A Virtual WAN (Wide Area Network) is a networking service offered by cloud providers like Microsoft Azure that allows organizations to connect their branch offices, data centers, and remote users to their main network in a scalable, secure, and efficient manner.

1. Introduction to Azure Virtual WAN Rohit Sharma  Tech Lead  DevOps Competency

2. Agenda Introduction to Azure Virtual WAN Types of Azure Virtual WAN Key Features & Benefits of Azure Virtual WAN Use Cases of Azure Virtual WAN Conclusion Demo

3. Introduction to Azure Virtual WAN Azure Virtual WAN is a comprehensive networking service designed to simplify the process of connecting and managing your global network infrastructure. It provides a unified and scalable solution for connecting branch offices, datacenters and Azure virtual networks ( VNets ) through a centralized hub-and-spoke architecture. With built-in security, high availability, and performance optimization, Azure Virtual WAN is an ideal choice for enterprises looking to streamline their network operations and enhance connectivity. Azure Virtual WAN simplifies and optimizes enterprise networking, offering a scalable, secure, and cost-effective solution for modern network architecture needs. With ease of use and simplicity built in,virtual WAN is a one-stop shop to connect, protect, route traffic, and monitor your wide area network. As enterprises increasingly adopt the cloud while reducing their costs, IT teams looking to consolidate, accelerate, or even revamp their wide area network should consider Azure Virtual WAN. It supports various connectivity options, including site-to-site VPN, point-to-site VPN, and ExpressRoute, facilitating flexible and scalable connections.

4. Types of Azure Virtual WAN Azure Virtual WAN offers different types of hubs and functionalities designed to cater to various networking needs. These types are broadly categorized into two main offerings: Standard and Basic . Here's a detailed overview of each type and their capabilities:    Basic Virtual WAN The Basic Virtual WAN type is designed for simpler use cases and offers fundamental connectivity features. It is suitable for smaller organizations or specific scenarios where advanced networking capabilities are not required.     Features: Basic Hub : Provides basic connectivity between Azure VNets and on-premises networks. VPN Gateway : Supports site-to-site and point-to-site VPN connectivity. Routing : Basic routing capabilities with static routes and simple traffic forwarding. No ExpressRoute Support : Does not support ExpressRoute connections. Limited Scale : Suitable for smaller deployments with fewer connectivity requirements.

5. Types of Azure Virtual WAN   Standard Virtual WAN The Standard Virtual WAN type offers advanced networking capabilities, making it suitable for larger organizations and more complex networking scenarios. It provides enhanced features and better scalability compared to the Basic type. Features: Standard Hub : Offers advanced connectivity options and better performance. VPN Gateway : Supports site-to-site and point-to-site VPN connectivity with higher throughput and more connections. ExpressRoute Gateway : Supports dedicated private connectivity using ExpressRoute. Enhanced Routing : Advanced routing capabilities with dynamic routing, BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) support, and custom route tables. Azure Firewall : Integrated firewall for centralized network security management. Azure DDoS Protection : Protects against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Network Virtual Appliances (NVA) : Support for third-party network virtual appliances for additional security and functionality. Traffic Manager : Optimizes traffic flow based on latency, performance, and other criteria.

6. Key Features and Benefits of Azure Virtual WAN Azure Virtual WAN (VWAN) is designed to simplify and optimize the networking needs of enterprises by offering Azure Virtual WAN (VWAN) is designed to simplify and optimize the networking needs of enterprises by offering a unified and highly scalable network architecture. Here are the key features and benefits of Azure Virtual WAN: Key Features: Global Transit Network Architecture: Hubs and Spokes: Centralized hubs in different Azure regions act as the core, with spokes ( VNets ) connected to these allowing for a robust and scalable network topology. Any-to-Any Connectivity: Facilitates seamless connectivity between branches, data centers , and Azure regions. Simplified Connectivity: Branch-to-Branch: Connects branch offices through Azure’s global network. Site-to-Site VPN: Provides secure, IPsec/IKE VPN tunnels between on-premises networks and Azure VNets . Point-to-Site VPN: Enables remote users to securely connect to Azure VNets using OpenVPN, IKEv2, or SSTP protocols. ExpressRoute: Offers dedicated private connectivity from on-premises networks to Azure, bypassing the public internet for enhanced performance and security. Advanced Routing Capabilities: Dynamic Routing: Supports BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) for dynamic routing between on-premises and Azure networks. Custom Route Tables: Allows the definition of custom routes to control traffic flow.

7. Key Features and Benefits of Azure Virtual WAN Benefits : Scalability : Global Reach: Easily scales across different regions to meet global networking needs. Automatic Scaling: Dynamically scales to handle increasing traffic loads without manual intervention. High Availability: Built-In Redundancy: Ensures high availability and reliability with built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms. SLA-Backed Uptime: Provides service-level agreements (SLAs) for uptime and performance. Cost Efficiency: Reduced Hardware Needs: Minimizes the need for expensive on-premises hardware and maintenance. Pay-As-You-Go: Offers a flexible pricing model that allows you to pay only for the resources you use. Enhanced Security: Centralized Security Management: Simplifies security management with centralized policies and controls. Comprehensive Protection: Includes features like Azure Firewall, DDoS Protection, and integration with NVAs for robust security.

8. Use Cases of Azure Virtual WAN Azure Virtual WAN (VWAN) provides a highly scalable and unified network architecture that can be utilized in various scenarios to address modern enterprise networking needs. Here are some key use cases Branch Office Connectivity: Connect multiple branch offices to each other and to Azure resources seamlessly. Use Case Details: Branch-to-Branch Communication: Enables direct communication between branch offices through Azure’s global network, eliminating the need for complex and costly MPLS networks. Centralized Security and Management: Apply consistent security policies across all branch offices using Azure Firewall and other integrated security features. Site-to-Site VPN: Establish secure IPsec/IKE VPN tunnels between branch offices and Azure Virtual WAN hubs. Hybrid Cloud Connectivity Integrate on-premises data centers with Azure for a hybrid cloud environment. Use Case Details : ExpressRoute : Use dedicated private connections to Azure, bypassing the public internet for enhanced performance and security. Site-to-Site VPN : Securely connect on-premises networks to Azure, ensuring seamless integration of resources. Dynamic Routing : Utilize BGP for dynamic routing between on-premises routers and Azure hubs, ensuring optimal routing paths.

9. Use Cases of Azure Virtual WAN Global Application Performance Optimization Optimize application performance for users around the world with low-latency connections. Use Case Details : Global Transit Network : Use Azure’s global backbone network to reduce latency and improve performance for globally distributed applications. Traffic Manager : Leverage Azure Traffic Manager to direct traffic based on performance, geographical location, and other criteria. Latency-Based Routing : Optimize traffic flow based on latency to ensure the best user experience. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Implement robust disaster recovery solutions with high availability and redundancy. Use Case Details : High Availability : Use built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous availability of critical applications and services. Site-to-Site VPN and ExpressRoute : Establish resilient connections between primary and backup sites for seamless failover. Global Reach : Ensure disaster recovery solutions can span across multiple regions, providing geographical redundancy.

10. Conclusion Azure Virtual WAN stands out as a versatile and scalable networking solution, ideal for enterprises seeking to modernize their network infrastructure. By offering centralized management, advanced security features, global connectivity, and integration with Azure’s ecosystem, it empowers organizations to enhance operational efficiency, improve performance, and strengthen overall network security. Whether connecting branch offices, integrating hybrid cloud environments, or supporting remote workforce needs, Azure Virtual WAN provides a comprehensive platform that adapts to diverse networking challenges, making it a preferred choice for businesses embracing digital transformation initiatives. Provides centralized management through the Azure Portal, offering visibility, control, and automation that reduce operational complexity and costs associated with traditional WAN deployments. Leverages Azure’s global backbone network for low-latency, high-performance connectivity, optimizing application performance across geographically dispersed locations.

11. Demo