Azure ExpressRoute

In this lecture, the focus is on Azure Express Route and its capabilities. The lecture begins by explaining that Express Route enables the extension of on-premises networks into the Microsoft Cloud through a private connection facilitated by a third-party connectivity provider. It is stressed that Express Route does not utilize the public internet, which results in more reliable connections with faster speeds, more consistent latencies, and enhanced security compared to standard VPN connections.

The lecture then visualizes the typical architecture of Express Route and outlines its benefits. Among these are direct connectivity to Microsoft Cloud services across regions, global connectivity with the Express Route premium add-on, dynamic routing with BGP, built-in redundancy, and a connection uptime SLA. There’s also a mention of quality of service support for Skype for Business.

Key services accessible through Express Route are highlighted, including Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Azure Compute Services, and various Azure Cloud Services. Microsoft’s recommendation for using Express Route for certain scenarios is underscored.

Different connectivity models offered by Express Route are discussed, such as cloud exchange co-location, point-to-point ethernet connections, any-to-any connections, and direct connections from Express Route sites. Each model caters to specific scenarios for integrating on-premises networks with the cloud. The lecture explains how co-location at a cloud exchange, point-to-point ethernet, any-to-any WAN integration, and direct peering locations work.

The lecture concludes by reiterating the key points to remember for the exam, emphasizing that Express Route provides a private connection that bypasses the public internet, ensuring more secure and reliable cloud connectivity.