Complete Guide to Passing the AZ-700 and Building Azure Networks

Microsoft Azure certifications have evolved from covering broad topics to focusing on specific job roles. This shift ensures that certified professionals not only understand Azure concepts but can apply them in real-world environments. One of the most impactful certifications in this new model is the AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions. Completing this exam earns you the title of Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate.

This certification isn’t just about proving that you’ve read the documentation. It’s about showing employers that you can design and implement functional, secure, and scalable network architectures using Azure services. The AZ-700 focuses on skills such as creating secure hybrid networks, optimizing traffic flow, configuring private access to Azure services, and using monitoring tools to troubleshoot complex environments.

Cloud networking is foundational to everything else in Azure. Whether you’re building applications, deploying infrastructure, or securing enterprise environments, the underlying network configuration influences performance, security, and accessibility. Earning this certification proves that you can manage these components reliably and according to best practices.

Who the AZ-700 Is For

This certification is best suited for network engineers, system administrators, cloud architects, and security professionals who are responsible for networking and connectivity within Azure. Whether you’re moving from a traditional infrastructure role or extending your existing cloud knowledge, the AZ-700 helps you grow into a more specialized and valuable position.

Many engineers arrive at the AZ-700 after completing more foundational certifications, such as the AZ-104 or AZ-900. If you already have experience configuring on-premises VPNs, working with firewalls, managing DNS, or designing network layouts, you’ll find that these skills transition well into the Azure networking ecosystem. What the certification teaches you is how to use Azure’s native tools to implement these concepts in a cloud environment.

The role of the Azure Network Engineer is to ensure that services are reachable, secure, and fast. That includes connecting hybrid environments, directing traffic intelligently, enforcing security boundaries, and planning network topologies that scale. The AZ-700 ensures you’re equipped to do exactly that.

What to Expect on the AZ-700 Exam

To understand the challenge this exam presents, you need to know what skills Microsoft tests for. The AZ-700 is divided into five key domains that reflect the core tasks of an Azure Network Engineer.

Design, Implement, and Manage Hybrid Networking (10–15%)

Hybrid connectivity is one of the first tasks engineers encounter when transitioning to the cloud. This section of the exam covers your ability to create VPNs and ExpressRoute connections between on-premises data centers and Azure. You’ll be asked to demonstrate knowledge of IP address planning, proper use of virtual network gateways, and how to configure routing between environments. A common scenario involves setting up a site-to-site VPN that links your corporate network with your Azure virtual network.

Hybrid networking setups often involve multiple subnets, static routes, and encryption protocols like IKEv2. Candidates need to ensure proper IP address separation to prevent routing conflicts. You’ll also need to understand what devices are compatible with Azure VPN Gateways and how to emulate on-prem configurations in test environments.

Design and Implement Core Networking Infrastructure (20–25%)

This is the heart of Azure network configuration. You’ll be tested on how to design and configure Azure Virtual Networks, subnets, and related services such as DNS, DHCP, and NSGs. This includes understanding subnet sizing, designing hub-and-spoke architectures, and implementing VNet peering across regions or subscriptions.

You’ll also be required to deploy basic connectivity tools such as Bastion Hosts for secure remote management and learn to isolate workloads using network security groups. Other topics include virtual network gateways, Azure DNS zones, and custom domain resolution within and across VNets.

This domain emphasizes your ability to plan address spaces, deploy infrastructure using automation or templates, and manage the lifecycle of Azure networking resources.

Design and Implement Routing (25–30%)

Routing is central to how services communicate within and outside of Azure. This section will measure your understanding of how Azure handles system routes and how you can customize them using user-defined routes. You’ll need to design routing strategies that direct traffic through specific virtual appliances such as firewalls or NAT gateways.

The exam also covers more advanced topics like BGP configuration in ExpressRoute scenarios and route propagation between multiple networks. Knowing how to troubleshoot routing problems with tools like Effective Routes or Network Watcher is key. You should also understand how route prioritization works in Azure, especially when multiple routes overlap.

Expect to be given scenarios where you’ll need to determine which route Azure will use, and whether that route allows secure and efficient traffic flow.

Secure and Monitor Networks (15–20%)

Security and observability are critical for cloud networks. This section focuses on securing traffic using tools such as Azure Firewall, Web Application Firewall, and Network Security Groups. You’ll need to be able to deploy these services, configure rules and filters, and understand how they integrate with the rest of the Azure platform.

Monitoring is equally important. Azure Network Watcher allows you to view connection flows, inspect packet captures, and check network topology. You’ll be expected to interpret flow logs, analyze connection monitors, and use diagnostic settings to export logs to services like Azure Monitor or Log Analytics.

This domain ensures you can proactively secure and analyze your network traffic to prevent downtime and improve performance.

Design and Implement Private Access to Azure Services (10–15%)

Public access to cloud services is often discouraged in secure environments. This part of the exam evaluates your ability to configure private endpoints, Private Link, and service endpoints to allow secure access to Azure services such as Storage, SQL Database, and Web Apps without traversing the public internet.

Candidates must understand how DNS resolution works with private endpoints, how to configure custom DNS solutions, and how to isolate traffic within VNets using these tools. You’ll also need to understand how service endpoints differ from private endpoints and when to use each.

This domain is key for architects who need to control access tightly and eliminate external exposure of sensitive services.

How Challenging Is the AZ-700?

The AZ-700 isn’t considered the most difficult Azure certification, but it certainly isn’t easy. It is intermediate to advanced in scope and expects that you already have some real-world experience with Azure or networking. The questions are scenario-based and often test multiple layers of understanding.

Rather than simply asking you what a feature does, the exam will present a scenario where you must choose the most appropriate configuration, sometimes from a list of partially correct options. This kind of complexity makes hands-on practice essential.

Using test environments to build real Azure networking scenarios gives you the confidence to solve problems under pressure. Whether you’re using a personal Azure subscription or a controlled sandbox, it’s important to practice setting up the types of resources covered in the exam.

How to Prepare for the AZ-700

The best way to prepare is by blending study with practical work. Begin by reviewing Microsoft’s official documentation and learning paths, then follow up by configuring services yourself in Azure. Every major concept—like virtual network peering, VPN Gateway setup, route table configuration, and Network Watcher diagnostics—should be something you can do without relying on a walkthrough.

Enrolling in a dedicated AZ-700 course helps consolidate this knowledge. These courses often include real-world examples, guided labs, and design patterns that help you understand not just how a service works, but why it is used in certain situations.

Break your study time into focused sessions based on the domains above, and be sure to revisit weak areas regularly. When possible, use tools like Azure CLI or PowerShell to automate deployments. This not only reinforces your learning but also prepares you for real-world environments where scripting is common.

Now that you understand the value of the AZ-700 certification and the skills it covers, the next step is to get hands-on. In the article, we’ll walk through setting up a secure site-to-site VPN from Azure to an on-prem network. This exercise is not only a key part of hybrid network design but also a critical topic covered in the AZ-700 exam.

By following along, you’ll learn how to create a virtual network gateway, configure your address space, and establish a connection that bridges your Azure and on-premises environments. You’ll also see how to emulate this setup using two VNets if you don’t have access to a physical VPN device.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Site-to-Site VPN with Azure

In many enterprise environments, the cloud doesn’t replace everything—it extends your existing infrastructure. Connecting on-premises resources with Azure through a hybrid networking model allows you to gradually migrate workloads, back up data securely, and ensure business continuity. The Site-to-Site (S2S) VPN connection is one of the most common ways to achieve this.

For the AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions exam, configuring a site-to-site VPN is a critical skill. It tests your understanding of IP address planning, VPN gateway deployment, routing configuration, and how to establish secure connections across hybrid networks.

This guide walks you through the actual process of creating a site-to-site VPN between Azure and an on-premises network. Even if you don’t have access to physical networking equipment, you can emulate the setup using a pair of Azure virtual networks.

Prerequisites and Planning

Before we build anything in Azure, we need to plan the environment. Site-to-site VPNs require both sides of the connection—the Azure side and the on-premises side—to have clearly defined configurations.

To follow this walkthrough, you’ll need:

• An active Azure subscription
  
  
• A basic understanding of virtual networks, subnets, and address spaces
  
  
• Public and private IP ranges for your networks
  
  
• A compatible VPN device or a second VNet to simulate on-premises

In real-world scenarios, the on-premises side involves a VPN appliance or firewall that supports IKEv2 and IPsec. If you’re testing or learning, you can use a second Azure VNet and treat it as the “on-prem” environment.

The IP ranges on both sides of the VPN mustn’t overlap. Azure will reject connections if IP address spaces conflict.

Step 1: Create the Azure Virtual Network

Start by creating a virtual network that will represent your cloud environment. This VNet will host the Azure-side VPN gateway and serve as the endpoint for hybrid connectivity.

1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
   
   
2. Navigate to Virtual networks and select Create.
   
   
3. Set the following configuration:
   
   
   • Name: AzureVNet
     
     
   • Region: East US (this must remain consistent with other components)
     
     
   • Address space: 10.0.0.0/16
     
     
4. Add a subnet:
   
   
   • Name: default
     
     
   • Address range: 10.0.0.0/24
     
     
5. Click Review + Create, then Create.

This VNet will serve as your core cloud network and will soon host the gateway subnet.

Step 2: Add the Gateway Subnet

The gateway subnet is a specialized subnet where the VPN gateway resides. It’s reserved exclusively for the VPN gateway and should not be used for other resources.

1. Open the newly created AzureVNet.
   
   
2. Go to Subnets and select + Gateway subnet.
   
   
3. Use the recommended subnet size:
   
   
   • Address range: 10.0.255.0/27
     
     
4. Click Save.

The /27 subnet size provides enough IP addresses for the gateway to function correctly, even in high-availability configurations.

Step 3: Create the Virtual Network Gateway

The virtual network gateway enables encrypted traffic to pass between Azure and the on-premises site. Creating it takes several minutes because it provisions dedicated infrastructure in Azure.

1. Navigate to Virtual network gateways and select Create.
   
   
2. Use the following configuration:
   
   
   • Name: AzureVPNGateway
     
     
   • Region: East US (must match your VNet region)
     
     
   • Gateway type: VPN
     
     
   • VPN type: Route-based
     
     
   • SKU: VpnGw2
     
     
   • Generation: Generation 2
     
     
   • Virtual network: AzureVNet
     
     
3. Create a new public IP:
   
   
   • Public IP name: AzureVPNPublicIP
     
     
4. Leave the remaining defaults and click Review + Create, then Create.

Provisioning the gateway can take up to 45 minutes. This is normal and doesn’t require any manual steps during that time.

Step 4: Create the Local Network Gateway

The local network gateway represents your on-premises network inside Azure. It defines the IP address of your VPN device and the IP address space of your on-prem network.

1. Navigate to Local network gateways and click Create.
   
   
2. Configure it with:
   
   
   • Name: OnPremGateway
     
     
   • IP address: 203.0.113.10 (use your on-prem VPN device’s public IP or another VNet gateway if simulating)
     
     
   • Address space: 192.168.0.0/16 (must not overlap with Azure VNet)
     
     
   • Region: East US
     
     
3. Click Review + Create, then Create.

This object allows Azure to route traffic to your simulated or real on-premises network.

Step 5: Establish the VPN Connection

Now that both gateways exist, you can create the actual site-to-site connection between Azure and the on-premises environment.

1. Navigate to Virtual network gateways and open AzureVPNGateway.
   
   
2. Select Connections, then + Add.
   
   
3. Enter the following:
   
   
   • Name: AzureToOnPremConnection
     
     
   • Connection type: Site-to-site (IPsec)
     
     
   • Virtual network gateway: AzureVPNGateway (auto-selected)
     
     
   • Local network gateway: OnPremGateway
     
     
   • Shared key: Any strong string (must match on both sides)
     
     
   • IKE Protocol: IKEv2
     
     
4. Click OK to create the connection.

If the on-prem VPN device or second VNet gateway is configured correctly, the connection will eventually show a status of “Connected”.

Step 6: Configure the On-Premises Side

This will vary depending on what device or emulator you are using for the on-premises network.

• If using a second Azure VNet with another virtual network gateway, you will mirror the connection by creating a new local network gateway pointing to AzureVPNGateway’s public IP and address space.
  
  
• Create a matching connection from the second VNet gateway back to AzureVPNGateway.
  
  
• Ensure that both sides use the same pre-shared key and IKEv2 protocol.

Microsoft provides VPN configuration scripts for many common devices, including Cisco ASA, Juniper SRX, and Fortinet appliances. You can find these scripts directly in the Azure portal when creating the VPN connection.

Step 7: Verify the VPN Connection

After a few minutes, you can verify the VPN connection using the Azure portal.

1. Go to Virtual network gateways and open AzureVPNGateway.
   
   
2. Click Connections and open AzureToOnPremConnection.
   
   
3. Look for the status:
   
   
   • Connection status: Connected
     
     
   • Bytes in/out: Should reflect some data transfer.
     
     
   • Tunnel status: Connected

If everything is configured properly, the VPN tunnel should show as active, and traffic should be able to pass between the networks.

Troubleshooting Tips

VPN configuration is sensitive to mismatches in address spaces, authentication parameters, and encryption settings. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

• Connection status stuck at “Connecting”: Double-check the pre-shared key and public IPs on both sides.
  
  
• Traffic not routing properly: Ensure that both networks have correct user-defined routes or that BGP is correctly configured.
  
  
• No bytes in/out: Verify that NSGs or firewalls aren’t blocking traffic between the subnets.

Using Network Watcher, you can run IP flow verify and connection troubleshoot tools to get more insight into traffic flow problems.

Simulating the On-Prem Side with a Second VNet

If you don’t have access to an actual on-prem device, you can use a second VNet in Azure to emulate it.

• Create a second virtual network in a different IP range (e.g., 172.16.0.0/16).
  
  
• Repeat the gateway and subnet setup for this second network.
  
  
• Configure local network gateways and VPN connections in both directions, treating each side as the other’s “on-prem”.

This allows you to test your understanding of site-to-site connectivity without purchasing hardware or configuring physical devices.

What You’ve Learned

By following this walkthrough, you’ve created a secure tunnel between Azure and another network—either physical or simulated. This site-to-site VPN is foundational in hybrid networking and reflects real-world Azure Network Engineer responsibilities. You’ve worked with core components of Azure networking, including virtual networks, subnets, gateways, address spaces, and VPN connections.

These hands-on steps directly reflect topics found in the AZ-700 exam and provide a deeper understanding of what’s expected in enterprise network architecture.

In this series, we’ll go beyond connectivity and dive into securing and routing traffic within Azure. You’ll learn how to implement custom routes, secure network boundaries with firewalls, and monitor traffic using Azure-native tools like Network Watcher and Traffic Analytics. These skills are essential for protecting your cloud workloads and will help you pass the more advanced sections of the AZ-700 exam.

Securing, Monitoring, and Routing in Azure Network Architectures

As you move deeper into the AZ-700 exam objectives, you’ll find that just connecting your networks is not enough. Designing and implementing robust security, effective routing strategies, and deep monitoring capabilities are critical elements of cloud network engineering. Azure offers a full suite of tools to enforce security boundaries, direct traffic through specific paths, and monitor performance or troubleshoot connectivity issues.

This series covers how to secure Azure Virtual Networks using native tools like Azure Firewall and Network Security Groups, implement routing strategies using route tables and BGP, and utilize monitoring services such as Network Watcher and Connection Monitor. These areas map directly to several domains on the AZ-700 exam.

Azure Routing Basics: The Default Behavior

Azure’s default routing is automatic and manages most basic scenarios without intervention. When you create a virtual network and add subnets, Azure automatically sets up a system route table that enables communication between subnets and handles internet traffic for resources with public IP addresses.

Here’s what default system routes typically include:

• VNet-to-VNet traffic: Automatically routed within the virtual network.
  
  
• Internet traffic: Routed to the internet if the subnet has public IPs and no route overrides.
  
  
• Traffic to Azure services: Routed through the Azure backbone.

However, these system routes aren’t enough when you want to control traffic flow, for example, to force all traffic through a firewall or restrict access to specific subnets. That’s where custom routes come in.

Implementing Custom Routing with Route Tables

Azure route tables, also known as User Defined Routes (UDRs), let you take control over where network traffic flows. You associate a route table with a subnet, and the rules in that table override Azure’s default routes.

Creating a Custom Route Table

1. In the Azure portal, navigate to Route tables and click Create.
   
   
2. Fill in the basic information:
   
   
   • Name: HubRouteTable
     
     
   • Region: East US (same as the virtual network)
     
     
3. Click Create.

Adding a Route to the Table

After creating the route table:

1. Open HubRouteTable and go to Routes, then + Add.
   
   
2. Configure the route:
   
   
   • Route name: RouteToFirewall
     
     
   • Address prefix: 0.0.0.0/0 (to send all outbound traffic)
     
     
   • Next hop type: Virtual appliance
     
     
   • Next hop address: The private IP address of your firewall
     
     
3. Save the route.

Associating the Route Table

1. Open HubRouteTable and select Subnets.
   
   
2. Choose the subnet you want to apply the custom route to.
   
   
3. Click Save.

Now, all traffic from that subnet will be routed through your firewall.

Using Azure Firewall for Centralized Traffic Control

Azure Firewall is a stateful, managed firewall-as-a-service. It allows you to create and enforce network and application rules, monitor all traffic, and log to services like Log Analytics and Storage accounts.

Deploying Azure Firewall

1. In the Azure portal, search for Firewall and click Create.
   
   
2. Set the required fields:
   
   
   • Name: CentralFirewall
     
     
   • Region: East US
     
     
   • Virtual network: Create or choose a hub network
     
     
   • Firewall subnet: Must be named AzureFirewallSubnet (e.g., 10.0.1.0/26)
     
     
   • Public IP address: Create new
     
     
3. Click Review + Create, then Create.

Azure deploys the firewall into its subnet, and you can begin configuring rules to control traffic.

Creating Firewall Rules

Azure Firewall supports three rule collections:

• Network rules: Based on IP addresses and ports
  
  
• Application rules: Based on FQDNs
  
  
• NAT rules: To translate traffic for inbound connections

Let’s add a network rule to allow outbound traffic to the internet.

1. Open CentralFirewall and go to Rules.
   
   
2. Add a new network rule collection:
   
   
   • Name: AllowInternet
     
     
   • Priority: 100
     
     
   • Action: Allow
     
     
   • Rules: Add a rule with source 10.0.0.0/16, destination 0.0.0.0/0, port 80/443
     
     
3. Save and apply.

This setup ensures that only allowed traffic can leave your network, enhancing security and visibility.

Integrating Network Security Groups (NSGs)

While Azure Firewall provides perimeter security, Network Security Groups offer a more granular, subnet- or NIC-level control. NSGs act as access control lists, filtering inbound and outbound traffic based on rules.

Deploying an NSG

1. In the portal, search for Network security groups and select Create.
   
   
2. Configure:
   
   
   • Name: WebSubnetNSG
     
     
   • Region: East US
     
     
3. After creation, go to Inbound rules and add:
   
   
   • Source: Internet
     
     
   • Destination: Virtual network
     
     
   • Port: 80
     
     
   • Action: Allow
     
     
4. Go to Subnets and associate it with the subnet that hosts your web servers.

NSGs are extremely useful when layering security. Combine them with firewalls to adopt a defense-in-depth strategy, which is recommended for the AZ-700 certification.

Monitoring Network Traffic with Azure Network Watcher

After setting up your security and routing controls, you’ll need to monitor and troubleshoot the network. Azure Network Watcher is a built-in service for visualizing and diagnosing networking in the cloud.

Enabling Network Watcher

1. In the portal, search for Network Watcher and enable it in your region.
   
   
2. Once enabled, you can access tools like:
   
   
   • Topology: Visual map of network resources
     
     
   • IP Flow Verify: Tests traffic flow based on NSG rules.
     
     
   • Connection Troubleshoot: Simulates traffic between endpoints
     
     
   • NSG Flow Logs: Stores traffic metadata in a storage account

Using Connection Troubleshoot

1. Go to Network Watcher > Connection Troubleshoot.
   
   
2. Set source and destination resources (e.g., from a VM in your subnet to an external FQDN).
   
   
3. Run the test and review the hop-by-hop results.

This is one of the most powerful tools available for the AZ-700 exam and is regularly tested in case studies and troubleshooting scenarios.

Using Traffic Analytics for Insights

Traffic Analytics builds on NSG flow logs by aggregating and visualizing data in a Log Analytics workspace. It provides a centralized dashboard for understanding who’s connecting to your network and from where.

To set this up:

1. Enable NSG flow logs for a specific NSG.
   
   
2. Link a storage account and Log Analytics workspace.
   
   
3. Navigate to Traffic Analytics in Network Watcher.

Now you have a live dashboard showing top talkers, flow patterns, allowed vs denied connections, and more.

Secure and Private Access to Azure Services

Azure also allows you to restrict how services like Azure Storage or SQL Database are accessed. Instead of relying on public endpoints, you can use private endpoints to ensure traffic stays inside your VNet.

Setting Up a Private Endpoint

1. Go to the resource (e.g., a Storage account) and select Private endpoint connections.
   
   
2. Create a new private endpoint:
   
   
   • Name: StoragePrivateEndpoint
     
     
   • VNet: Choose your existing VNet
     
     
   • Subnet: Select a subnet with no route to the internet
     
     
3. Confirm and deploy.

Once created, the resource is reachable via its private IP address. You can block all public access to further secure it.

What You’ve Learned

In this series, we explored how to go beyond connectivity and implement advanced network design in Azure:

• You learned how Azure routes traffic by default and how to override those paths using route tables.
  
  
• You implemented perimeter security using Azure Firewall and subnet-level controls with Network Security Groups.
  
  
• You monitored traffic using Network Watcher and gathered insights through Traffic Analytics.
  
  
• You enabled private access to Azure services using private endpoints.

All of these skills are essential for the AZ-700 Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate exam, and more importantly, for operating a secure, performant cloud environment.

In the series, we’ll explore hybrid networking designs in greater detail. You’ll learn how to implement ExpressRoute, Virtual WAN, and design solutions that scale across regions and data centers. We’ll also touch on cost, performance, and high availability considerations that help you design like a true Azure network engineer.

Advanced Hybrid Network Designs and Scaling Azure Network Architectures

Modern organizations rarely operate fully in the cloud or entirely on-premises. Hybrid networking bridges this gap by integrating private infrastructure with cloud-hosted resources. Azure makes it possible to establish low-latency, highly available connections between disparate environments.

While earlier in the series we looked at site-to-site VPNs and virtual networks, this part focuses on advanced solutions like ExpressRoute, Azure Virtual WAN, BGP, multi-region designs, and resilient architectures. These are key topics for AZ-700 and a core responsibility of any cloud network engineer.

Scaling Beyond Site-to-Site VPN: Introduction to Azure ExpressRoute

Site-to-site VPNs are a great starting point for hybrid networks, but they are limited by performance, security concerns, and dependency on the public internet. When consistent throughput and SLA-backed performance are needed, ExpressRoute is the answer.

ExpressRoute creates a private connection between your on-premises network and Azure through a connectivity provider. This connection never touches the public internet and supports up to 100 Gbps throughput, depending on the SKU.

Core Benefits

• Private, SLA-based connectivity
  
  
• Supports large data transfers and mission-critical workloads
  
  
• Connects to all Azure services, including those without public endpoints

Deploying ExpressRoute

To implement ExpressRoute, follow these high-level steps:

1. Procure ExpressRoute Circuit: From the Azure portal, create an ExpressRoute circuit. Choose provider, peering location, bandwidth, and SKU.
   
   
2. Coordinate with a Provider: Once provisioned, share the service key with your connectivity provider.
   
   
3. Create Peerings:
   
   
   • Private Peering: Used to access Azure VNets.
     
     
   • Microsoft Peering: Access Azure public services like Azure SQL or Azure Storage.
     
     
4. Link to Virtual Network: Use a gateway to connect your ExpressRoute circuit to your Azure VNets.

Using BGP with ExpressRoute for Dynamic Routing

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is essential for hybrid networks using ExpressRoute. It enables automatic route exchange between your on-premises routers and Azure, making the network more resilient to changes.

Why Use BGP?

• Supports dynamic failover
  
  
• Reduces manual route configuration
  
  
• Advertises only reachable routes

In ExpressRoute, BGP is configured between the Microsoft Enterprise Edge and your on-prem edge devices. You can even configure multiple circuits and use AS Path Prepending or Local Preference to influence route selection.

Designing for Redundancy and Failover

Availability is critical in enterprise-grade architectures. Azure supports several strategies to ensure continuity in case of failure.

Active-Active VPN Gateways

To increase availability, use active-active VPN gateways:

• Create two connections to two different on-prem devices.
  
  
• Each instance of the gateway processes traffic, increasing throughput and resilience.

ExpressRoute with VPN Failover

You can use ExpressRoute with a VPN as a backup in case of primary link failure:

1. Create a VPN gateway in your Azure VNet.
   
   
2. Establish a site-to-site connection as backup.
   
   
3. Use BGP weights or AS path configuration to prioritize ExpressRoute.
   
   
4. Configure failover routing in your on-prem router.

Zone-Redundant Gateways

In regions that support availability zones, use zone-redundant gateways to ensure your gateway spans multiple data centers within the region.

Implementing Azure Virtual WAN for Global Network Architecture

Azure Virtual WAN is a networking service that simplifies large-scale connectivity by providing a central hub for branch offices, VNets, and users.

Core Components

• Hubs: Central points that connect to branches and VNets.
  
  
• Connections: Link sites or VPNs to the hub.
  
  
• Routing: Managed by Azure; supports BGP for dynamic learning.

When to Use Virtual WAN

• You have dozens or hundreds of sites or regions to connect.
  
  
• You want a unified platform for ExpressRoute, VPN, and remote users.
  
  
• You need global scale and automated route management.

Deploying Virtual WAN

1. Create a Virtual WAN resource.
   
   
2. Deploy one or more hubs.
   
   
3. Connect VNets and sites (via VPN or ExpressRoute).
   
   
4. Use policies to manage route propagation and connectivity.

This service is particularly valuable for enterprises that manage complex, distributed environments with centralized security and routing.

Multi-Region and Global Network Design

Scalability often means distributing workloads across multiple Azure regions. This introduces new challenges such as latency, failover, replication, and route management.

Common Patterns

1. Active-Passive Failover:
   
   
   • Deploy services in a primary region.
     
     
   • Use paired regions for DR.
     
     
   • Replicate using Azure services like Traffic Manager and storage geo-redundancy.
     
     
2. Active-Active Multi-Region:
   
   
   • Deploy redundant services in multiple regions.
     
     
   • Use Global VNet Peering to enable low-latency communication.
     
     
   • Implement Traffic Manager or Azure Front Door for geo-load balancing.

Using Global VNet Peering

Global VNet Peering allows virtual networks in different regions to communicate as if on the same network. Key points:

• Uses Microsoft’s backbone for traffic.
  
  
• Supports private IP communication.
  
  
• Subject to latency based on inter-region distance.

Be aware that routing with globally peered VNets respects user-defined routes and NSGs, so plan accordingly.

Designing for Cost and Performance

Scalability isn’t just about adding more resources—it’s about doing so in a way that’s cost-effective and performant. Here are strategies that balance the two.

Use Route-Based VPNs with BGP

• Use route-based VPNs for dynamic route management.
  
  
• BGP ensures routes are updated automatically as the network grows.

Implement Traffic Segmentation

• Separate production and development environments.
  
  
• Use network virtual appliances or Azure Firewall to control cross-zone communication.

Monitor Throughput and Optimize

Use Azure Monitor and Network Watcher to analyze:

• Link utilization
  
  
• Latency between hubs
  
  
• Packet loss

Right-size your network gateways and ExpressRoute circuits based on these insights.

Becoming a Network Engineer for the Cloud Era

In this series, we’ve gone from understanding the basics of Azure virtual networking to mastering advanced hybrid and global-scale architectures. The AZ-700 exam tests this full range of skills, but more importantly, they’re what modern organizations require from cloud network engineers.

As networks become more distributed, dynamic, and integrated with public cloud providers, engineers must evolve from router/switch specialists into hybrid-cloud architects. This means mastering:

• Private connectivity through VPN and ExpressRoute
  
  
• Dynamic routing with BGP
  
  
• Scalable topologies using Virtual WAN and peering
  
  
• Secure perimeter and segmentation using firewalls and NSGs
  
  
• Monitoring with tools like Network Watcher, Connection Monitor, and Log Analytics

If you’ve followed the entire series, you’re now well-positioned to continue your journey by:

• Reviewing Microsoft’s AZ-700 documentation
  
  
• Practicing with hands-on labs and emulated VPN scenarios
  
  
• Watching real-world Azure network implementations in action
  
  
• Attempting the AZ-700 exam to validate your expertise

These skills aren’t just valuable for passing an exam—they’re the blueprint for designing and operating resilient, secure, and performant networks in the cloud.

Final Thoughts

Mastering Azure networking isn’t just about memorizing steps or passing an exam—it’s about gaining the confidence to design, implement, and manage networks that are secure, scalable, and ready for real-world enterprise demands. The AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions certification stands as proof of your readiness to take on these challenges.

Throughout this series, you’ve explored everything from the fundamentals of Azure virtual networking to advanced hybrid connectivity solutions like ExpressRoute, BGP, and Azure Virtual WAN. You’ve seen how to build site-to-site VPNs, enforce layered security with firewalls and NSGs, monitor your networks with precision tools, and scale architectures across regions and infrastructures.

But more importantly, you’ve taken a deep dive into what it means to be a cloud-first network engineer—one who can connect business needs to technical execution with clarity, foresight, and precision.

As you prepare for the AZ-700 exam, remember that the most powerful tools you have aren’t just in the Azure portal—they’re your ability to think critically, adapt to change, and troubleshoot with a clear understanding of how networks behave in the cloud.

Keep practicing, keep building, and keep learning. Whether you’re aiming to land your first cloud networking role or upskill for a senior architect position, the knowledge you’ve gained is a strong foundation.