Azure Service Endpoints

Technical Overview

Azure Service Endpoints provide secure and direct connectivity to Azure services over an optimized route over the Azure backbone network. By enabling Service Endpoints, you can restrict access to your Azure service resources to only your virtual network, improving security and reducing exposure to the public internet.

Key Components:

• Virtual Network (VNet): The Azure network where Service Endpoints are enabled.
• Service Endpoints: Configurations that allow private IP addresses in the VNet to access Azure services without needing a public IP address.
• Azure Services: Supported services such as Azure Storage, Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, and more.

Implementation Details

1. Enable Service Endpoints

1. Go to the Azure portal.
2. Navigate to “Virtual Network” > “Service Endpoints”.
3. Select the VNet where you want to enable Service Endpoints.
4. Click “Add” and select the Azure service (e.g., Microsoft.Storage) and the specific subnets you want to enable Service Endpoints for.
5. Click “Save” to apply the changes.

2. Configure Service Access on the Resource

1. Go to the Azure portal and navigate to the resource you want to secure (e.g., an Azure Storage account).
2. Select “Networking” under the “Settings” section.
3. Click “Firewalls and virtual networks”.
4. Under “Virtual networks”, select the “Add existing virtual network” option.
5. Choose the VNet and specific subnets you configured with Service Endpoints.
6. Click “Save” to apply the changes.

Extending Access to On-Premises Network

When using Service Endpoints, access is limited to the Azure Virtual Network (VNet) where they are enabled. This access does not extend to your on-premises network connected via ExpressRoute.

To enable secure access from both your on-premises network and VNet, consider using Private Endpoints. Private Endpoints provide a private IP address within your VNet, ensuring secure access from both the VNet and the on-premises network connected via ExpressRoute.

Private Endpoints allow you to:

• Remove Public Access: Eliminate public exposure by restricting access to the private IP within your VNet.
• Secure Access: Ensure secure and private connectivity from both the VNet and on-premises network.
• DNS Configuration: Resolve the private endpoint’s private IP address from both your VNet and on-premises network.

Use Cases

Real-World Example:

Scenario: A financial institution wants to securely access its Azure Storage accounts from its virtual network and on-premises network without exposing the storage accounts to the public internet.

Implementation:

• Virtual Network: The institution’s VNet is configured with Service Endpoints enabled for Microsoft.Storage.
• Service Access Configuration: Azure Storage accounts are configured to accept traffic only from the specified subnets in the VNet.
• Private Endpoints: Used to provide secure access from both the VNet and the on-premises network.

Benefits:

• Enhanced security by restricting access to Azure Storage accounts to the VNet and on-premises network.
• Optimized routing of traffic over the Azure backbone network.
• Reduced exposure to the public internet.

Challenges:

• Ensuring proper configuration of Service Endpoints, Private Endpoints, and resource settings.
• Monitoring and maintaining connectivity and security settings.

Pricing

Azure Service Endpoints are included with your Azure subscription and do not incur additional charges. However, you may incur costs for other Azure services used in conjunction with Service Endpoints.

Cost-Effective Tips:

• Optimize Network Security: Ensure that Network Security Groups (NSGs) are configured efficiently to minimize unnecessary traffic.
• Monitor Usage: Regularly review and monitor network traffic to identify and address any issues promptly.

Resources

Azure Virtual Network Service Endpoints Overview Create and Associate Service Endpoint Policies Service Endpoints vs Private Endpoints