As businesses increasingly shift operations to the cloud, the need for robust, scalable, and secure networking solutions becomes a top priority. Microsoft Azure is one of the leading platforms powering this transformation, offering a comprehensive suite of networking services tailored for modern applications, hybrid environments, and global enterprises.

Traditional on-premises networking models relied on physical hardware and rigid configurations. In contrast, Azure networking operates within a dynamic, software-defined environment. This allows businesses to quickly deploy, scale, and manage networks with high availability and security, without the complexity of physical infrastructure.

Professionals working with Azure networking must understand not only the services Azure offers but also how to architect solutions that meet real-world requirements for connectivity, performance, compliance, and security. This training course is designed to equip network engineers with the skills needed to thrive in this cloud-first landscape.

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes

The Azure Network Training program is structured to give learners the practical skills and knowledge required to plan, implement, and manage networking solutions in Microsoft Azure. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to:

• Design and configure core Azure networking services, including virtual networks, IP addressing, DNS, and virtual network peering
  
• Implement hybrid connectivity solutions using VPNs, Virtual WAN, and ExpressRoute.
  
• Set up routing and traffic distribution through Azure-native load balancing and traffic control services.
  
• Establish secure access to Azure services using private links and endpoints.
  
• Secure networks using firewalls, network security groups, and web application firewalls
  
• Monitor and troubleshoot network performance using built-in Azure tools.
  

The training also prepares participants to take on the certification exam for Microsoft’s AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions.

Who Should Attend and What You Should Know Beforehand

This course is targeted at IT professionals, network engineers, and system architects responsible for designing and managing Azure network infrastructure. It is also valuable for professionals transitioning from on-premises networking roles to cloud networking environments.

Before enrolling in this training, it is helpful to have:

• A foundational understanding of Azure services and architecture
  
• Experience with traditional networking technologies, including IP addressing, DNS, VPNs, and firewalls
  
• Familiarity with virtualization technologies and the basics of network security
  
• Knowledge of disaster recovery, high availability concepts, and performance optimization
  

These skills help participants make the most of the training by allowing them to immediately connect new concepts to familiar scenarios.

Core Concepts in Azure Networking

Networking in Azure centers around virtual networks, which are the equivalent of traditional data center networks but hosted in the cloud. A virtual network provides a secure, isolated environment where users can deploy virtual machines, containers, databases, and other services.

Key components include:

• Virtual Networks (VNets): Logical groupings of cloud-based resources that communicate internally and externally.
  
• Subnets: Divisions within VNets that allow segregation of workloads for security and traffic management.
  
• IP Addresses: Public and private addresses assigned to resources for communication.
  
• DNS Services: Name resolution for internal and external resources.
  
• Network Interfaces: Connect virtual machines to networks.
  
• Route Tables: Define how traffic is directed within and between networks.
  
• Peering: Connects virtual networks to allow seamless communication.
  
• Firewalls and Security Groups: Enforce traffic rules and secure the environment.
  

Understanding these components is the first step toward building a functional and secure network in Azure.

Module 1: Introduction to Azure Virtual Networks

The first module in the course focuses on core Azure networking infrastructure. This is the building block upon which all other networking concepts and services are layered.

Designing and Implementing Virtual Networks

Participants begin by learning how to create and configure virtual networks using custom IP address spaces. These networks can contain multiple subnets, each serving a specific workload or department. The structure supports secure communication while maintaining logical separation.

Configuration includes:

• Assigning address spaces and subnet ranges
  
• Implementing subnets for application tiers (web, app, database)
  
• Managing IP address allocation (static or dynamic)
  
• Setting up DHCP-like functionality via Azure
  

Understanding how to properly structure a virtual network ensures that resources communicate efficiently and securely.

Public and Private IP Addressing

Azure provides both public and private IP addresses for different use cases. Public IP addresses are used when a resource needs to be accessible from the internet. Private IP addresses are for internal communication within the VNet.

Participants will learn:

• How to reserve static public IP addresses for predictable access
  
• Assigning IP addresses to virtual machines, load balancers, and VPN gateways
  
• Differentiating between dynamic and static addressing in real-world deployments
  

A correct IP configuration is essential to avoid conflicts and to meet organizational access control policies.

Designing and Implementing DNS Solutions

DNS is a vital part of the network infrastructure. In Azure, DNS services can be managed using Azure’s built-in DNS or custom DNS servers.

Learners explore:

• Azure-provided DNS for automatic resolution within VNets
  
• Integration of on-premises DNS with Azure
  
• Custom DNS setup for advanced resolution scenarios
  
• Implementing Azure Private DNS zones for internal-only name resolution
  

Participants also study how to avoid common DNS pitfalls in hybrid and distributed environments.

Virtual Network Peering

Virtual network peering enables communication between two Azure virtual networks, even if they exist in different regions. This eliminates the need for gateways or public internet exposure.

Topics covered:

• Creating and configuring peering connections
  
• Allowing or blocking traffic between peered VNets
  
• Peering within the same region (intra-region) vs. across regions (global)
  
• Configuring route propagation and gateway sharing
  

This concept is essential for large organizations that run workloads across multiple departments or regions.

Routing in Azure

Azure includes default system routes but allows for custom routing where more control is needed. This is important in scenarios where traffic must be directed through a firewall or inspection system.

Key lessons include:

• Understanding system default routes
  
• Creating user-defined routes for custom path control
  
• Associating route tables with subnets
  
• Configuring next hop types, including internet, virtual appliance, and virtual network gateway
  

Routing configurations play a critical role in managing traffic flow, ensuring security compliance, and optimizing performance.

Implementing Azure Virtual Network NAT

Network Address Translation (NAT) in Azure provides outbound internet connectivity for resources in a virtual network. NAT helps reduce the need for assigning public IPs to every instance while still allowing outbound access.

Participants learn:

• When to use NAT over traditional outbound methods
  
• Setting up NAT gateways for a subnet
  
• Managing connection limits and scalability
  
• Monitoring and troubleshooting NAT flows
  

NAT is a modern approach to internet connectivity and is favored for its simplicity and security.

Lab Exercises and Practice Scenarios

To reinforce theoretical learning, this module includes hands-on exercises. Participants practice:

• Deploying a VNet and configuring subnets
  
• Assigning and managing IP addresses
  
• Setting up peering between VNets
  
• Configuring name resolution using Azure DNS
  
• Creating route tables and applying them to control traffic
  
• Deploying and verifying Azure NAT Gateway functionality
  

These activities are designed to simulate real-world scenarios and help learners understand the impact of their configurations.

The first part of Azure Network Training lays the groundwork for understanding how Azure networking is structured and managed. Participants gain in-depth knowledge of virtual networks, IP addressing, DNS, peering, routing, and NAT. Mastery of these core elements enables the deployment of flexible and secure network topologies that support diverse workloads.

With these foundational skills in place, learners are prepared to move into more complex topics, such as hybrid networking, load balancing, private access configurations, and network security, which will be explored in subsequent parts of the course.

Hybrid Connectivity and Advanced Azure Network Integration

Many organizations operate in hybrid environments where on-premises infrastructure continues to support critical operations alongside growing investments in the cloud. Hybrid networking in Azure enables seamless connectivity between on-premises data centers and Azure virtual networks, ensuring a consistent, secure, and high-performance environment.

Hybrid networking is essential for organizations with compliance requirements, data locality concerns, or applications that must span both cloud and on-premises systems. This module focuses on planning and implementing hybrid connections using various Azure technologies, including VPNs, Virtual WAN, and ExpressRoute.

Participants will learn the options available for connecting existing infrastructure to Azure, how to select the right approach for different scenarios, and how to ensure reliability and performance across hybrid environments.

Module 2: Design and Implement Hybrid Networking

This module introduces methods of extending on-premises networks to Azure securely. The main types of hybrid connections covered include:

• Site-to-Site VPN
  
• Point-to-Site VPN
  
• Azure Virtual WAN
  

These options vary in complexity, cost, and use case. This section explores how to implement them, manage their configuration, and monitor their health.

Site-to-Site VPN (S2S)

Site-to-Site VPN provides a secure tunnel between the on-premises network and Azure using Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) and Internet Key Exchange (IKE). It is typically used for continuous, secure communication between an entire corporate network and a VNet in Azure.

Configuration includes:

• Creating a virtual network gateway in Azure
  
• Configuring the on-premises VPN device
  
• Establishing IP address ranges and routing rules
  
• Setting up shared keys and tunnel settings
  

Site-to-Site VPN is often the first step toward hybrid connectivity and is well-suited for environments that need fast deployment without the upfront investment of dedicated circuits.

Point-to-Site VPN (P2S)

Point-to-Site VPN is intended for individual clients or remote users who need secure access to resources in Azure. It is client-based and does not require a VPN device on the user’s side.

Key concepts include:

• Configuring certificates or authentication methods
  
• Deploying and distributing the VPN client
  
• Managing user access and IP allocation
  
• Monitoring user connections and data flow
  

This method is useful for organizations with remote teams, development environments, or for providing emergency access to on-premises admins.

Azure Virtual WAN

Azure Virtual WAN is a networking service that provides optimized and automated branch connectivity through Azure. It simplifies large-scale site-to-site, point-to-site, and private interconnect connectivity.

In this section, learners explore:

• Creating a Virtual WAN hub
  
• Connecting multiple sites using VPN or ExpressRoute
  
• Leveraging partner solutions to accelerate deployment
  
• Managing traffic routing and segmentation in complex environments
  

Virtual WAN is well-suited for enterprises with global branch offices or distributed environments that require centralized policy control and high availability.

Module 3: Design and Implement Azure ExpressRoute

ExpressRoute offers a private connection between an organization’s on-premises infrastructure and Azure data centers. This bypasses the public internet and provides higher security, reliability, and performance.

Unlike VPN-based connections, ExpressRoute provides dedicated bandwidth and consistent throughput, which makes it suitable for mission-critical workloads, large-scale migrations, and enterprise data operations.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding ExpressRoute architecture and connectivity models
  
• Provisioning ExpressRoute circuits and configuring service keys
  
• Choosing between private peering, Microsoft peering, and public peering
  
• Integrating with on-premises routers and service providers
  
• Using ExpressRoute with Virtual WAN and Network Virtual Appliances
  
• Managing routing, failover, and monitoring for uptime and performance
  

ExpressRoute requires coordination with a network service provider. Therefore, learners also study how to plan deployments, validate performance, and ensure compliance with organizational requirements.

Traffic Routing in Hybrid Environments

Hybrid networking introduces new routing complexities. Azure uses system routes for internal traffic, but in hybrid setups, custom routes often need to be configured.

Participants learn to:

• Define user-defined routes for directing traffic to on-premises networks
  
• Configure Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) with ExpressRoute for dynamic route advertisement
  
• Handle route conflicts and failover scenarios.
  
• Integrate VPN and ExpressRoute in a coexisting configuration.
  

Efficient routing is critical to ensure performance, avoid loops, and enforce security policies in hybrid networks.

Security Considerations in Hybrid Connectivity

Security remains a top priority when connecting cloud environments to on-premises systems. This module addresses how to secure data in transit, enforce access control, and monitor hybrid connectivity.

Key practices include:

• Encrypting data between sites using IPsec and TLS
  
• Using route-based VPNs for greater flexibility and control
  
• Implementing network security groups (NSGs) to restrict access
  
• Applying Azure Firewall and third-party appliances for traffic inspection
  
• Using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to limit user permissions
  
• Auditing hybrid connections with diagnostic logs and metrics
  

Learners are encouraged to implement a layered security model that addresses authentication, encryption, monitoring, and alerting.

Hands-On Labs and Exercises

To reinforce theoretical concepts, participants engage in hands-on labs such as:

• Setting up a Site-to-Site VPN connection between Azure and a simulated on-premises network
  
• Deploying and configuring Point-to-Site VPN access for remote users
  
• Creating and managing a Virtual WAN hub and connecting multiple branch locations
  
• Provisioning an ExpressRoute circuit and configuring routing
  
• Verifying connectivity using Azure Network Watcher and diagnostic tools
  

These labs simulate real-world hybrid networking tasks, enabling participants to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios.

Performance Optimization and Monitoring

Reliable and high-performance connectivity is essential for hybrid deployments. Participants learn how to assess and improve performance using various Azure tools.

Key areas covered:

• Using Azure Monitor to track metrics such as bandwidth, latency, and packet loss
  
• Setting up alerts for VPN gateway health and traffic thresholds
  
• Leveraging Azure Network Watcher to trace packet paths and troubleshoot connection failures
  
• Applying Quality of Service (QoS) policies where supported
  
• Understanding limits for VPN and ExpressRoute throughput
  

Monitoring helps ensure that hybrid networks meet performance expectations and support critical workloads without disruption.

Planning for Redundancy and Failover

Hybrid networks must be resilient. This section teaches learners how to design for high availability and disaster recovery using redundant links, active-active configurations, and failover strategies.

Participants explore:

• Configuring dual VPN tunnels for automatic failover
  
• Using ExpressRoute with secondary circuits and diverse providers
  
• Implementing routing preference policies to control traffic paths
  
• Validating failover mechanisms with simulation tools and manual testing
  

Redundancy planning is especially important for enterprise environments with 24/7 uptime requirements or compliance-driven service level agreements.

This part of the Azure Network Training focuses on hybrid networking—connecting Azure with on-premises infrastructure using secure and scalable solutions. Participants gain deep knowledge of Site-to-Site VPN, Point-to-Site VPN, Virtual WAN, and ExpressRoute, along with critical routing, security, and performance considerations.

By the end of this module, learners are equipped to:

• Choose the right hybrid connectivity solution based on business needs
  
• Configure and manage hybrid networks using Azure-native tools
  
• Secure and monitor hybrid connections effectively.
  
• Design fault-tolerant and high-performance hybrid infrastructures
  

This knowledge lays the foundation for advanced networking topics such as traffic distribution, application delivery, private access to services, and network security, which will be covered in the next parts of the course.

Load Balancing and Traffic Distribution in Azure

Modern applications are designed to be highly available, scalable, and resilient. As demand increases, cloud infrastructure must distribute workloads efficiently to prevent service degradation. Load balancing is a fundamental technique used to achieve this by distributing incoming network traffic across multiple resources such as virtual machines, containers, or services.

In Azure, load balancing is not a single solution but a suite of tools optimized for different scenarios. Understanding which service to use, how to configure it, and how it fits into a broader network design is a core part of effective Azure network engineering.

This section explores the principles of load balancing, the available Azure services, their ideal use cases, and how to design fault-tolerant traffic distribution systems for global and regional applications.

Types of Load Balancing in Azure

Azure supports both layer 4 and layer 7 load balancing. Layer 4 load balancing operates at the transport layer (TCP/UDP), while layer 7 operates at the application layer (HTTP/HTTPS). Selecting the correct method depends on the nature of the workload and the level of control required.

The key Azure load balancing solutions include:

• Azure Load Balancer (Basic and Standard)
  
• Azure Application Gateway
  
• Azure Front Door
  
• Azure Traffic Manager
  

Each solution serves a specific role in traffic management and can be combined in layered architectures for more complex scenarios.

Module 4: Load Balancing Non-HTTP(S) Traffic in Azure

This module focuses on distributing non-web traffic (TCP/UDP) such as RDP, SSH, SQL, or custom protocols. Azure Load Balancer is the primary tool for these scenarios.

Azure Load Balancer

Azure Load Balancer is a high-performance layer 4 load balancer designed to distribute incoming and outgoing traffic across virtual machines in a virtual network.

Key topics include:

• Understanding Basic vs. Standard SKU Differences
  
• Configuring load balancing rules and health probes
  
• Setting up backend pools and front-end IP configurations
  
• Defining port forwarding and NAT rules for VM access
  
• Using availability sets and zones for high availability
  

The Standard Load Balancer supports high-scale scenarios and provides deeper monitoring and diagnostics compared to the Basic SKU. It also integrates with virtual machine scale sets for dynamic resource scaling.

Health Probes

Health probes are essential for determining the availability of backend resources. Learners explore how to:

• Configure TCP and HTTP-based probes
  
• Define probe intervals and thresholds.
  
• Use probe results to direct traffic away from unhealthy instances.
  

By setting up effective probes, the Load Balancer ensures traffic is only sent to responsive services.

Inbound NAT Rules

Inbound NAT rules are used to direct traffic to specific virtual machines based on unique port mappings. This is useful for administrative access (e.g., RDP to multiple VMs) without assigning multiple public IPs.

Lab exercises include:

• Deploying a Load Balancer with backend VMs
  
• Creating rules to distribute SQL and RDP traffic
  
• Testing load distribution and failover scenarios
  

These activities build practical skills for managing network traffic in scalable deployments.

Module 5: Load Balancing HTTP(S) Traffic in Azure

Application-layer traffic, such as web requests, requires more advanced routing and inspection. Azure provides several services optimized for HTTP/HTTPS traffic.

Azure Application Gateway

Application Gateway is a layer 7 load balancer that includes application-level routing, SSL termination, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) integration.

Core features include:

• URL-based routing (path-based and host-based)
  
• Session affinity using cookies
  
• SSL offloading and re-encryption
  
• WAF for filtering malicious traffic
  
• Autoscaling based on traffic patterns
  

Participants learn to:

• Deploy an Application Gateway in front of a web tier
  
• Create routing rules based on application paths.
  
• Configure SSL certificates for secure communication
  
• Enable WAF and customize rule sets for threat protection.
  

Application Gateway is ideal for hosting web applications that require detailed traffic control and security.

Azure Front Door

Front Door is a global layer 7 load balancer and content delivery network (CDN). It is designed to optimize web traffic for performance and reliability across geographic regions.

Key capabilities:

• Global HTTP load balancing with latency-based routing
  
• URL redirection and rewriting
  
• SSL offload with managed certificates
  
• Web Application Firewall integration
  
• Automatic failover between backend regions
  

Front Door is well-suited for internet-facing applications that need low latency and high availability. It uses Microsoft’s global edge network to route traffic to the nearest healthy backend.

In this module, learners:

• Create Front Door profiles with backend pools across multiple regions
  
• Configure health probes and latency-based routing
  
• Enable WAF policies for global threat protection.
  
• Test failover by simulating regional outages
  

Combining Front Door with regional Application Gateways provides a robust multi-tier traffic distribution model.

Azure Traffic Manager

Traffic Manager is a DNS-based traffic load balancer. Unlike Front Door or Application Gateway, it does not directly process traffic but instead directs clients to the best endpoint using DNS responses.

Routing methods include:

• Priority routing for failover scenarios
  
• Weighted routing for A/B testing or gradual rollouts
  
• Performance routing based on client proximity
  
• Geographic routing for regional compliance
  

Traffic Manager is typically used to distribute traffic between multiple Azure regions or between Azure and external endpoints.

Learners configure:

• Traffic Manager profiles with various routing methods
  
• Monitoring endpoints using HTTP probes
  
• DNS settings for domain routing
  
• Failover scenarios with primary and backup sites
  

Traffic Manager offers a lightweight, flexible solution for global traffic control.

Choosing the Right Load Balancer

Azure offers multiple tools for traffic distribution, and choosing the right one depends on several factors:

• Type of traffic (HTTP vs. TCP)
  
• Requirement for content-based routing
  
• Regional vs. global presence
  
• Integration with security services like WAF
  
• Performance and scalability needs
  

General recommendations:

• Use Azure Load Balancer for internal or external non-HTTP traffic.
  
• Use Application Gateway for application-specific routing and SSL termination.
  
• Use Front Door for global, scalable, internet-facing web applications.
  
• Use Traffic Manager for DNS-level routing and multi-region failover.
  

This section includes comparison tables and architecture diagrams to help learners make informed decisions.

Monitoring and Diagnostics for Load Balancers

Reliable load balancing requires continuous monitoring. Azure provides built-in tools to diagnose, troubleshoot, and improve load balancing performance.

Monitoring tools include:

• Azure Monitor for metrics and logs
  
• Log Analytics for querying load balancer data.
  
• Network Watcher for connection troubleshooting
  
• Connection Monitor to test paths between clients and endpoints.
  

Participants learn to:

• Configure diagnostic logging for each load-balancing service
  
• Analyze metrics such as backend availability and request rates.
  
• Use built-in workbooks for visual diagnostics.
  
• Set alerts for probe failures or latency spikes.
  

Monitoring ensures that any issues with traffic flow or backend health are quickly detected and resolved.

Labs and Practical Scenarios

Hands-on labs reinforce concepts through real-world tasks:

• Deploying a Standard Load Balancer for an internal application
  
• Configuring Application Gateway with path-based routing and WAF
  
• Setting up Front Door with multiple Azure Web Apps in different regions
  
• Testing Traffic Manager failover with simulated service outages
  

These exercises help build confidence in deploying and managing traffic distribution services in production environments.

This part of Azure Network Training focuses on distributing traffic effectively using Azure’s suite of load balancing services. Participants gain a deep understanding of when and how to use Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Front Door, and Traffic Manager.

By mastering these services, learners will be able to:

• Design scalable and reliable load balancing solutions
  
• Optimize performance for regional and global applications.
  
• Protect web applications with built-in security features.
  
• Monitor and troubleshoot traffic flow across complex network topologies.
  

These skills are essential for any Azure network engineer responsible for maintaining high-performance applications and services. In the next part, we will turn our focus to securing networks, configuring private access, and implementing robust monitoring practices.

Securing Azure Networks, Enabling Private Access, and Monitoring

As cloud adoption continues to rise, ensuring the security and observability of network infrastructure has become a critical priority. In Microsoft Azure, network security is not a single tool or policy but a layered approach that integrates identity, access control, encryption, firewalling, and monitoring. Properly securing a cloud network means designing access paths, traffic rules, and protections in a way that limits exposure and reduces attack surfaces while maintaining operational agility.

This part of the training explores how to secure Azure networks, enable private access to services, and monitor traffic and health for ongoing visibility and performance tuning. These practices help organizations meet compliance standards, prevent data breaches, and respond to incidents effectively.

Module 6: Design and Implement Network Security

This module introduces Azure-native tools and techniques used to enforce security across the network layer. Participants learn to design access control, protect against attacks, and implement inspection mechanisms that ensure only trusted traffic reaches critical resources.

Network Security Groups (NSGs)

NSGs are used to control inbound and outbound traffic to network interfaces, virtual machines, and subnets. They function like traditional firewalls, but are enforced at the software-defined networking level in Azure.

Topics covered include:

• Creating and assigning NSGs to subnets and network interfaces
  
• Defining inbound and outbound security rules with priority and direction
  
• Allowing or denying traffic based on IP, port, and protocol
  
• Monitoring NSG rule application and effectiveness
  

NSGs are the foundational security component and work in tandem with other services to enforce traffic policies.

Application Security Groups (ASGs)

ASGs simplify NSG management by grouping resources by function rather than IP address. This abstraction makes it easier to scale and manage rules across large deployments.

Participants explore:

• Creating ASGs and associating them with virtual machines
  
• Using ASGs in NSG rules to define access between workloads
  
• Managing dynamic environments without updating IP-based rules
  

ASGs increase flexibility in managing application communication without hardcoding network identifiers.

Azure Firewall

Azure Firewall is a fully stateful, cloud-native network firewall service. It provides granular control over traffic, supports application rules, and integrates with logging and analytics tools.

Key features include:

• Stateful packet inspection
  
• Network and application rule filtering
  
• Threat intelligence-based filtering
  
• Support for fully qualified domain name (FQDN) filtering
  
• Integration with Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
  

Participants configure and deploy Azure Firewall to inspect traffic and enforce compliance policies at a centralized point in the network.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Azure WAF protects web applications from common threats such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and malicious bots. It is integrated with Application Gateway and Front Door.

Learners will:

• Enable and configure WAF policies
  
• Select rule sets based on application needs.
  
• Customize policies to match security requirements.
  
• Monitor blocked requests and evaluate performance impact.
  

WAF is an essential component for protecting publicly exposed web apps and APIs from evolving attack patterns.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Protection

Azure provides standard DDoS protection that can be enabled at the virtual network level. It helps detect and mitigate attacks before they reach application endpoints.

Topics include:

• Understanding DDoS detection mechanisms
  
• Viewing and analyzing protection reports
  
• Implementing best practices for DDoS resilience
  

Together, these security features form a comprehensive defense model suitable for enterprise-grade cloud environments.

Module 7: Design and Implement Private Access to Azure Services

Cloud services are often accessed over the public internet by default. For added security and compliance, Azure allows access to platform services such as storage accounts, SQL databases, and web apps through private endpoints. This eliminates public exposure and keeps data flows entirely within Azure’s private network fabric.

Azure Private Link and Private Endpoints

Private Link enables private connectivity from a virtual network to Azure services or customer-owned services. Private Endpoints are the network interface used to connect securely.

Key tasks include:

• Creating private endpoints for storage, database, or web resources
  
• Integrating DNS with Private Link to ensure correct resolution
  
• Managing access and permissions for endpoint connectivity
  
• Comparing Private Link to service endpoints for architectural decisions
  

Private endpoints simplify securing critical services without relying on NAT or public access controls.

Azure Service Endpoints

Service endpoints allow resources in a virtual network to connect to Azure services using optimized routes while still controlling access through network policies.

Participants learn to:

• Enable service endpoints for storage, SQL, and other services
  
• Configure access control lists at the service level
  
• Manage subnet integration and security policies.
  

Understanding the difference between private endpoints and service endpoints is crucial when designing secure and cost-effective architectures.

DNS Integration with Private Access

Name resolution plays a critical role in private access. DNS must correctly resolve service names to private IPs when using private endpoints.

Learners configure:

• Azure DNS private zones for internal name resolution
  
• Conditional forwarding for custom DNS servers
  
• Split-brain DNS scenarios for internal and external access
  

Proper DNS configuration ensures seamless, secure connectivity across services and workloads.

Module 8: Design and Implement Network Monitoring

Monitoring and visibility are central to maintaining a secure and high-performance network. Azure provides a suite of tools that collect metrics, logs, and diagnostic information for network resources.

Azure Monitor and Log Analytics

Azure Monitor collects telemetry data across all Azure resources. With Log Analytics, data can be queried, visualized, and used to trigger alerts.

Topics include:

• Configuring diagnostic settings for virtual networks, gateways, and load balancers
  
• Querying logs with Kusto Query Language (KQL)
  
• Creating alerts based on performance thresholds or error patterns
  
• Building workbooks and dashboards for visual insights
  

Participants learn how to use Azure Monitor to gain a real-time and historical view of network activity.

Network Watcher

Network Watcher offers specific tools for inspecting, analyzing, and troubleshooting Azure network resources.

Tools include:

• Connection Monitor: tracks end-to-end connectivity between endpoints
  
• IP Flow Verify: determines whether a packet is allowed or denied.
  
• Next Hop: identifies the route a packet will take
  
• Packet Capture: collects packets for detailed analysis
  
• Topology Viewer: visualizes network layout and resource relationships
  

Hands-on activities guide participants through common troubleshooting tasks using Network Watcher.

Performance Baselines and Alerts

Monitoring alone is not enough without actionable thresholds and alerting. Learners practice:

• Setting up alerts for VPN disconnections or load balancer probe failures
  
• Establishing baseline metrics for performance tuning
  
• Automating responses to alerts using Azure Logic Apps or runbooks
  

Effective alerting ensures that teams can respond quickly to anomalies and minimize downtime.

This final part of the Azure Network Training focuses on securing and monitoring Azure networks while enabling private, trusted access to services. Participants gain practical skills in implementing network security through NSGs, ASGs, Azure Firewall, and WAF, and in configuring private access using Private Link and service endpoints.

Additionally, they learn to monitor, diagnose, and troubleshoot network infrastructure using Azure-native tools like Monitor and Network Watcher.

By the end of this section, learners can:

• Secure Azure networks using layered security models
  
• Protect applications from common internet-based threats.
  
• Implement private access to Azure platform services without public exposure.
  
• Maintain visibility into network performance, availability, and threats.
  
• Troubleshoot and respond to network issues with confidence
  

These skills are critical for any professional responsible for keeping cloud networks secure, compliant, and high-performing.

Final Thoughts

Designing and managing network infrastructure in the cloud is a critical responsibility that requires more than just technical ability—it demands a strategic mindset, security awareness, and a deep understanding of evolving cloud architectures. The Azure Network Training course is built to prepare network professionals for exactly this kind of work in real-world environments.

Through this comprehensive training, participants gain the skills to build secure, scalable, and resilient networks in Microsoft Azure. From mastering virtual networks and hybrid connectivity to implementing intelligent load balancing and enforcing strong security postures, this course covers every major element of Azure networking. It provides both the foundational knowledge and the hands-on experience necessary to architect robust networking solutions in dynamic and complex cloud environments.

Each module is designed to layer knowledge progressively—from basic virtual networking concepts to advanced topics like private service access and global traffic distribution. Along the way, learners build practical expertise using Azure-native tools to monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure uptime and compliance.

More importantly, this training doesn’t stop at technical setup. It emphasizes strategic thinking, decision-making based on real-world scenarios, and a clear understanding of how to design with reliability, security, and business continuity in mind.

By the end of the course, professionals are not only prepared to manage Azure networks—they are ready to lead network transformation initiatives, contribute to cloud migration efforts, and support enterprise-scale operations with confidence. They are also well-positioned to pursue certification through the AZ-700 exam, validating their skills and advancing their careers in the cloud networking space.

In today’s fast-moving cloud ecosystem, mastering Azure networking is not just an option—it is a competitive advantage. This training provides the knowledge, structure, and tools to make that advantage real and sustainable.