The evolution of cloud computing has shifted how organizations build, secure, and manage their networking environments. Microsoft Azure stands as a cornerstone in modern enterprise infrastructure, offering a versatile array of services for virtual networking, security, routing, hybrid integration, and connectivity. The AZ-700 certification exam validates a candidate’s capability to design and implement Azure networking solutions in dynamic, large-scale, and hybrid environments.
In this first article of a three-part study guide, we explore the foundational concepts essential for mastering the AZ-700 exam. This includes hybrid networking, virtual networks, subnetting, DNS architecture, and initial planning considerations for implementing resilient and efficient cloud network solutions.
Target Audience for the AZ-700 Exam
The AZ-700 exam is designed for network engineers and architects responsible for designing and implementing Azure networking solutions. These professionals should be capable of translating business needs into scalable network designs, integrating cloud and on-premises systems, and ensuring end-to-end connectivity and security.
A typical candidate should be familiar with TCP/IP, routing, switching, DNS, and security principles. Experience with Azure administration, governance, and core infrastructure services provides a strong foundation for this exam.
Overview of Exam Objectives
The AZ-700 exam is structured around five major domains:
- Design, implement, and manage hybrid networking
- Design and implement core networking infrastructure
- Design and implement routing
- Secure and monitor networks
- Design and implement private access to Azure services
Each domain comprises a blend of conceptual understanding, architecture planning, and hands-on implementation knowledge. Mastery of these topics ensures that professionals can manage both day-to-day operations and strategic deployment of complex Azure networks.
Designing and Implementing Hybrid Networking
Hybrid networking is an essential aspect of enterprise cloud architecture. It facilitates seamless integration between on-premises datacenters and Azure resources, supporting scenarios like gradual migration, failover, remote access, and workload distribution.
Understanding Hybrid Connectivity Options
There are three major technologies used to implement hybrid connectivity in Azure:
- Site-to-Site VPN
- Point-to-Site VPN
- Azure ExpressRoute
Each has distinct use cases, scalability factors, and performance characteristics.
Site-to-Site VPN
Site-to-site VPN connects an on-premises network to Azure through an IPsec/IKE encrypted tunnel over the public internet. It is commonly used for low- to medium-throughput workloads that need secure communication.
Key components include:
- A virtual network gateway in Azure
- A local network gateway representing on-premises
- A shared pre-shared key
- Gateway subnet within the VNet
Proper planning of IP address ranges is vital to avoid conflicts and ensure successful tunnel negotiation.
Point-to-Site VPN
Point-to-site VPN is designed for individual client systems that require secure remote access to Azure. Unlike site-to-site VPN, it does not require a local VPN device.
Supported authentication mechanisms include:
- Azure Certificate authentication
- Azure Active Directory authentication
- RADIUS server integration
This model is ideal for remote developers, consultants, or temporary workforce connectivity.
ExpressRoute
Azure ExpressRoute provides a private, dedicated connection between on-premises networks and Azure. It bypasses the public internet, offering enhanced speed, reliability, and security.
ExpressRoute supports three routing domains:
- Private peering: for Azure VMs and internal services
- Microsoft peering: for SaaS services like Microsoft 365
- Public peering: deprecated but relevant in legacy cases
BGP is used for dynamic routing, allowing route advertisements and policies to control traffic. ExpressRoute circuits can also be interconnected across regions using Global Reach, facilitating inter-region data exchange over Microsoft’s backbone.
Azure Virtual WAN
Azure Virtual WAN is a managed networking service offering a unified global transit network architecture. It allows organizations to build large-scale branch connectivity and user VPN deployments with centralized policy and routing control.
Key features include:
- Automated spoke connectivity via virtual hubs
- Integration with third-party SD-WAN providers
- Scalable VPN, ExpressRoute, and point-to-site support
- Azure Firewall and routing policies
Virtual WAN simplifies complex topologies by centralizing management and ensuring optimal routing paths across global deployments.
Designing Core Networking Infrastructure
Azure Virtual Network (VNet) is the foundational construct for all Azure-based networking. It serves as a logical boundary and allows for communication between Azure resources, on-premises networks, and the internet.
Planning IP Address Spaces
Before deploying a VNet, it is crucial to plan the IP address space using CIDR notation. Address planning should consider current needs and future expansion. Avoiding overlapping address spaces with on-premises environments or other VNets is essential, especially when implementing hybrid connectivity or peering.
Best practices include:
- Reserving IP ranges for subnet expansion
- Using /24 subnets for individual tiers (e.g., web, app, database)
- Allocating larger ranges to shared infrastructure VNets
Proper IP planning avoids rework and allows for clean integration with services like Kubernetes, application gateways, and NAT gateways.
Subnetting and Resource Segmentation
Subnets divide a VNet into isolated logical segments. Each subnet can host different Azure resources, and traffic between subnets is unrestricted by default unless controlled by security tools.
Subnet segmentation improves security and manageability. For example:
- A front-end subnet may contain load balancers and web apps
- A middle-tier subnet might run APIs or microservices
- A back-end subnet can be used for databases and storage
Security boundaries are often enforced using network security groups and user-defined routes.
Network Security Groups
Network Security Groups (NSGs) are essential tools for controlling inbound and outbound traffic at the subnet or NIC level. NSGs operate like firewall rules and support granular filtering based on:
- Source and destination IP
- Port numbers
- Protocols (TCP, UDP, ICMP)
Each NSG rule has a priority value, with lower numbers taking precedence. The default rules allow intra-VNet traffic and Azure load balancer health probes. Custom rules should be added for specific allow or deny actions.
NSGs are stateless at the configuration level but operate in a stateful manner during enforcement, allowing return traffic for allowed requests.
Implementing Azure Bastion
Azure Bastion provides secure RDP and SSH connectivity to Azure virtual machines without exposing public IP addresses. It is deployed within a VNet and accessed through the Azure portal.
Benefits include:
- Zero trust access over SSL
- No need to manage jump servers or public IPs
- Protection from port scanning and brute force attacks
Bastion can be integrated with Just-in-Time (JIT) access and Microsoft Entra ID-based policies for enhanced control.
Configuring DNS and Name Resolution
DNS is critical for service discovery, internal name resolution, and hybrid network integration. Azure supports both system-managed and user-defined DNS options.
Azure-provided DNS
By default, each VNet uses Azure’s built-in DNS servers. These servers provide internal name resolution between Azure VMs and other services using the internal DNS suffix.
Limitations of Azure-provided DNS:
- No support for custom zones
- Cannot resolve on-premises hostnames
- Lack of integration with conditional forwarding
Azure DNS is ideal for small, isolated environments but becomes limiting in hybrid setups.
Custom DNS Servers
Organizations can configure custom DNS servers in their VNets. This allows integration with on-premises Active Directory DNS or third-party DNS solutions.
Common scenarios include:
- Extending domain join capabilities
- Resolving internal hostnames from hybrid locations
- Managing split-horizon DNS
DNS server IPs can be assigned at the VNet or subnet level. If specified at both, subnet settings take precedence.
Azure Private DNS Zones
Private DNS Zones provide an Azure-native way to manage DNS records for internal networks. They can be linked to VNets, enabling automatic registration of VM hostnames and integration with Azure services.
Benefits include:
- Internal name resolution without manual configuration
- Auto-registration for virtual machines
- Split-horizon DNS support
Private DNS is often used alongside private endpoints to ensure that traffic destined for platform services like storage or SQL remains within the Azure backbone.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools
Maintaining visibility into network operations is essential for security, performance, and diagnostics. Azure provides several tools to assist network engineers.
Azure Network Watcher
Network Watcher is a regional service for monitoring and diagnosing network conditions. It includes tools such as:
- Connection Troubleshoot: Traces packet paths and identifies blocked traffic
- IP Flow Verify: Determines whether a packet is allowed or denied by NSGs
- Packet Capture: Collects packet data for deep analysis
- Network Topology: Visualizes connected resources and paths
Enable Network Watcher in all active regions and automate diagnostics through alerts and Logic Apps for responsive monitoring.
Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
Azure Monitor provides unified metrics and logging across Azure resources. For network-focused monitoring, use diagnostic settings to forward NSG flow logs, application gateway logs, and Azure Firewall logs to Log Analytics.
Key capabilities include:
- Traffic analysis and bandwidth usage
- Anomaly detection
- Alerting and automation
Integrating network logs into a central workspace enhances observability and supports root cause analysis for outages or performance issues.
Azure Resource Graph
Resource Graph allows querying Azure resources at scale using a custom query language. It is particularly useful for auditing network configurations across subscriptions and tenants.
Use cases include:
- Finding misconfigured NSGs or unused public IPs
- Validating peering relationships
- Enumerating ExpressRoute circuit statuses
Azure Resource Graph Explorer provides a powerful UI for filtering and sorting large datasets without needing to export or parse JSON manually.
The AZ-700 certification demands a deep understanding of core networking principles tailored to Microsoft Azure. This first part introduced foundational elements such as hybrid connectivity, VNet planning, subnetting, DNS management, and monitoring strategies. Mastering these areas is essential for both exam success and practical application in enterprise cloud projects.
we will explore advanced routing techniques, hybrid and multi-region architecture patterns, and detailed approaches to securing and optimizing Azure networking solutions. As the complexity increases, so does the potential for building robust, fault-tolerant, and performance-optimized cloud environments.
Advanced Routing in Azure Networks
Routing defines how data flows within and beyond an Azure environment. For simple networks, system routes suffice. However, complex enterprise architectures often require advanced configurations to direct traffic securely and efficiently.
Azure System Routes and Limitations
By default, every subnet in a virtual network comes with a predefined set of system routes. These routes enable communication within the virtual network, to the internet, and with connected services such as virtual network gateways or ExpressRoute circuits.
System routes include:
- Local VNet routes for internal subnet communication
- Internet routes for public endpoints
- Routes to on-premises networks via VPN or ExpressRoute
- Service-specific routing through service endpoints
While automatic and convenient, these default routes lack customization. They do not accommodate advanced traffic scenarios such as forced tunneling or traffic inspection.
User-Defined Routes (UDRs)
To exert granular control over traffic paths, Azure allows the creation of user-defined routes. These override system routes and are applied through route tables associated with specific subnets.
Use cases include:
- Forcing internet-bound traffic through a network virtual appliance (NVA)
- Routing between spoke VNets through a centralized hub
- Redirecting specific traffic to monitoring or filtering solutions
Key components of a UDR:
- Address prefix (destination)
- Next hop type (virtual appliance, internet, virtual network, none)
- Next hop IP address (if applicable)
UDRs empower organizations to enforce network design principles and compliance requirements.
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Integration
In hybrid scenarios, dynamic routing becomes critical. Azure supports BGP, a protocol for exchanging routes between networks. BGP is used with both ExpressRoute and VPN gateways to dynamically learn and advertise routes.
Advantages of BGP:
- Automatic route updates without manual configuration
- Multi-site connectivity with route propagation
- Failover and path redundancy
Administrators can configure Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), customize route advertisements, and control propagation behavior.
Route Server for Enhanced Connectivity
Azure Route Server simplifies the integration of BGP with third-party NVAs. It enables dynamic route exchange between Azure and NVAs deployed in the network.
This service reduces complexity by eliminating the need for static UDRs and enhances network agility. A typical use case includes SD-WAN appliances dynamically learning routes to multiple VNets.
Building Hybrid and Global Network Architectures
As organizations scale, Azure networks must span multiple regions, subscriptions, and hybrid locations. Connectivity must be secure, performant, and resilient.
VNet Peering
VNet peering connects two virtual networks, allowing resources to communicate using private IP addresses. There are two types of peering:
- Intra-region peering
- Global peering across Azure regions
Peering is low-latency and leverages Azure’s backbone. It supports direct communication without gateways but is non-transitive by default.
Transitive routing can be achieved using:
- Hub-and-spoke topology with an NVA or route server
- Azure Virtual WAN for simplified architecture
Peering policies control forwarded traffic, gateway access, and network flow transparency.
Azure Virtual WAN
Azure Virtual WAN centralizes networking across regions and branches. It includes:
- Virtual hubs as central routing points
- Integrated support for VPN, ExpressRoute, and SD-WAN
- Built-in security via Azure Firewall
This service is optimal for enterprises with distributed offices or hybrid workloads. It simplifies routing policies, enables rapid branch onboarding, and improves management at scale.
ExpressRoute Global Reach
ExpressRoute Global Reach allows on-premises sites connected to ExpressRoute circuits in different regions to communicate with each other through Microsoft’s network. This reduces reliance on third-party backhaul or internet-based VPNs.
Global Reach is especially useful for:
- Multi-national enterprises
- Disaster recovery across geographies
- Data replication and low-latency access
It requires coordination between ExpressRoute providers and Azure circuit configuration.
Designing Secure Azure Networks
Security underpins all Azure networking. Without careful planning, even well-architected networks become vulnerable. Azure provides a multi-layered approach to securing data in transit.
Network Security Groups
NSGs are the primary tool for segmenting and protecting subnet or resource-level traffic. They contain rule sets for inbound and outbound traffic.
Best practices:
- Deny all by default, then allow specific traffic
- Use Application Security Groups (ASGs) to apply rules dynamically to resource groups
- Avoid overlapping rules with conflicting priorities
NSGs are essential for tier-based architectures, such as allowing API servers to reach databases but denying public access to those databases.
Azure Firewall
Azure Firewall is a managed, scalable stateful firewall. It supports:
- Application-level filtering using FQDNs and protocols
- Network-level traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence feeds to block known malicious IPs
It also enables forced tunneling, whereby outbound traffic from Azure is routed through a central inspection point before reaching the internet.
Firewall policies can be centrally managed and reused across deployments.
Azure DDoS Protection
DDoS attacks can disrupt availability even when infrastructure is otherwise secure. Azure DDoS Protection Standard offers:
- Adaptive real-time traffic monitoring
- Automatic mitigation of volumetric, protocol, and resource-layer attacks
- Analytics and logging integration
This service is ideal for public-facing applications such as e-commerce sites or APIs. It works in conjunction with Application Gateway or Azure Front Door for web application protection.
Just-in-Time Access
Azure Security Center offers Just-in-Time VM access, enabling controlled access to VMs by temporarily opening required ports.
Workflow:
- Administrator requests access via portal
- Azure evaluates policy and grants access for a limited duration
- Ports are automatically closed after the time expires
This reduces persistent exposure to brute-force attacks and provides audit logs for access.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting Azure Networks
Visibility into traffic flow and system behavior is vital for diagnosing issues, ensuring compliance, and planning capacity.
Azure Network Watcher
Network Watcher provides several diagnostic tools:
- Connection troubleshoot: Verifies reachability between endpoints
- IP flow verify: Determines if NSG allows specific traffic
- Packet capture: Collects and analyzes packet-level data
- Network topology: Visualizes resources and their relationships
Enable Network Watcher in all regions and configure it with automated alerting.
Flow Logs and Diagnostic Settings
NSG Flow Logs capture accepted and denied traffic, providing insights into patterns and anomalies. These logs can be directed to:
- Storage accounts for archival
- Log Analytics for querying
- Event Hubs for integration with third-party SIEMs
Use flow logs to:
- Analyze attack attempts
- Detect misconfigured rules
- Monitor bandwidth usage
Log Analytics and KQL
Azure Monitor integrates with Log Analytics to allow querying using the Kusto Query Language (KQL). Example use cases:
- Identifying top talkers (IP addresses with most data)
- Detecting port scans or unusual activity
- Monitoring health of VPN gateways
Dashboards and alerts can be built to provide real-time updates to administrators.
Cross-Subscription and Multi-Tenant Designs
As organizations grow, their Azure presence often spans multiple subscriptions or tenants. Network architecture must accommodate these divisions without compromising security or performance.
VNet Peering Across Subscriptions
VNets in different subscriptions can be peered if:
- Both are within the same Azure Active Directory tenant
- Appropriate permissions are granted
This supports:
- Organizational separation (finance, engineering, marketing)
- Centralized services (DNS, monitoring, firewalling)
- Controlled access to shared platforms
Policy enforcement tools help maintain governance.
Tenant-to-Tenant Networking
For service providers or complex conglomerates, Azure supports tenant-to-tenant VNet peering or integration using Azure Lighthouse and APIs.
Scenarios include:
- Managed services delivered across customers
- Cloud-native mergers
- Distributed governance models
Careful identity and access management is essential to avoid exposure or misconfiguration.
Resilience and High Availability
Designing for fault tolerance is crucial. Azure offers multiple constructs for ensuring continued operation during outages or performance degradation.
Availability Zones and Regions
Deploying resources across availability zones or paired regions enhances fault isolation. Load balancers, VNets, and Firewalls support zone-redundant deployment.
Ensure that:
- VNets span multiple subnets across zones
- Gateway SKU supports zone redundancy
- Services like Azure Firewall are provisioned in HA mode
Load Balancing Strategies
Azure provides several load balancing options:
- Azure Load Balancer: Layer 4, for TCP/UDP traffic
- Application Gateway: Layer 7, for HTTP/S with WAF
- Azure Front Door: Global, with edge POPs
- Traffic Manager: DNS-based, for routing across regions
Choose based on traffic type, geography, and performance needs.
This second installment explored deeper aspects of Azure networking, including advanced routing, security strategies, global architecture, and monitoring tools. These concepts form the backbone of robust, scalable, and secure Azure deployments.
we will complete the AZ-700 guide by covering private access to services, load balancers, hybrid optimization techniques, and architectural patterns for governance and scalability. Each element brings the networking vision closer to operational excellence and certification success.
Private Access to Azure Services
Modern cloud networks prioritize private connectivity to platform services to reduce data exposure and improve performance. Azure provides mechanisms like service endpoints and private endpoints to route traffic securely over the Azure backbone.
Azure Service Endpoints
Service endpoints extend VNet identity to Azure services over direct routes, allowing traffic to remain on the Azure backbone without crossing the public internet.
Supported services include:
- Azure Storage
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure Key Vault
- Cosmos DB
Service endpoints are configured at the subnet level. Once enabled, access control can be enforced through service-based virtual network rules. This means only traffic from approved subnets will be accepted by the platform service.
Use cases:
- Secure data storage from web and application tiers
- Isolation for sensitive workloads
- Compliance with internal networking policies
Service endpoints do not require private IP addresses but rely on IP-based access control. This makes them simple to implement but less restrictive than private endpoints.
Private Endpoints
Private endpoints bring the service interface directly into the VNet through a private IP. This provides enhanced security by fully privatizing the network path.
Key benefits:
- Prevents exposure to public IP addresses
- Reduces attack surfaces for Azure resources
- Fully integrates with NSGs and UDRs
Supported services include:
- Azure Storage and Azure SQL
- App Services and Web Apps
- Azure Container Registry
- Azure Monitor and Event Grid
Private endpoints are deployed as network interfaces within a subnet. DNS integration ensures resolution of service FQDNs to private IPs.
To secure private endpoints, administrators must configure:
- DNS resolution using Azure DNS Private Zones
- NSGs to control egress and ingress
- Policies to restrict access at scale
Private endpoints are essential for zero-trust architectures.
Azure Load Balancing Techniques
Efficient traffic distribution ensures application resilience and scalability. Azure offers several load balancing options to suit different network layers and workloads.
Azure Load Balancer
This is a layer 4 (TCP/UDP) load balancer that operates in two modes:
- Basic SKU for non-production scenarios
- Standard SKU for production workloads, supporting zone redundancy and diagnostics
Azure Load Balancer can be used for:
- Front-end distribution of VM scale sets
- NAT rules for inbound traffic to specific VMs
- Internal load balancing within VNets
Backend health is monitored using TCP probes or HTTP checks. Load Balancer supports automatic rebalancing in response to instance failure.
Azure Application Gateway
Application Gateway operates at layer 7 (HTTP/HTTPS), supporting advanced routing and security features.
Key capabilities:
- URL-based routing and path maps
- SSL termination and re-encryption
- Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Application Gateway is ideal for multi-site hosting and microservices architectures. It can differentiate traffic based on URI, headers, or hostnames.
It supports autoscaling and integration with Azure Key Vault for SSL management.
Azure Front Door
Front Door is a global entry point for web applications, offering:
- Layer 7 HTTP routing with geo-distribution
- Application acceleration using Anycast and CDN edge nodes
- TLS offloading and WAF policies
Front Door operates at the DNS edge and is optimal for high-performance global applications. It supports:
- Priority and weighted routing
- Session affinity using cookies
- Custom domain integration
Unlike Application Gateway, which is regionally bound, Front Door operates globally and accelerates access using Azure’s POP network.
Azure Traffic Manager
Traffic Manager is a DNS-based global traffic distributor. It routes clients based on:
- Performance (lowest latency)
- Priority (failover scenarios)
- Geography (regional regulations)
- Weighted distribution (testing new features)
Traffic Manager supports non-Azure endpoints as well, making it a versatile tool in hybrid deployments.
DNS-based routing means the client’s location influences the choice, and updates rely on DNS TTL expiration, so failover is not instantaneous.
Securing Ingress and Egress Traffic
Network perimeter control is crucial in cloud networks. Azure offers advanced capabilities to manage and monitor incoming and outgoing traffic across network boundaries.
Azure Firewall with Threat Intelligence
Azure Firewall provides granular control of traffic, both inbound and outbound. When threat intelligence mode is enabled, traffic from known malicious IPs and domains is automatically blocked or logged.
Administrators can use:
- Application rules (FQDN filtering)
- Network rules (IP/port filtering)
- DNAT for inbound port translation
- Forced tunneling for outbound routing
Firewall logs can be streamed to Log Analytics for auditing, incident response, and compliance tracking.
Outbound Internet Connectivity
Resources in Azure require internet access for updates, telemetry, or APIs. There are several models for managing outbound access:
- Default outbound IPs for public-facing VMs
- NAT Gateway for static outbound IPs across a subnet
- Azure Firewall for inspection and egress control
For production workloads, NAT Gateway or Firewall should be used to ensure consistent outbound IP addresses and secure traffic inspection.
Bastion Host
Azure Bastion provides secure RDP and SSH access to VMs directly through the Azure portal, without exposing VM IPs to the public internet.
Key advantages:
- No need to manage jump boxes
- No public IP required for VMs
- Seamless integration with RBAC and Azure AD
This reduces lateral movement risks and simplifies secure access for administrators.
Hybrid Connectivity and Optimization
Enterprises often adopt hybrid models to balance on-premise infrastructure with cloud agility. Azure provides multiple services for connecting, optimizing, and securing hybrid networks.
Site-to-Site VPN
Site-to-site VPNs connect an on-premises network to Azure over an encrypted IPsec tunnel. Common uses include:
- Temporary cloud extensions
- Testing Azure workloads
- Redundant paths for ExpressRoute
VPNs use route-based configurations and support BGP for dynamic routing. They can be terminated at a virtual network gateway.
For high availability, configure active-active gateways with multiple tunnels.
ExpressRoute
ExpressRoute provides private connectivity between on-premises networks and Azure data centers.
Advantages include:
- Higher throughput and SLA-backed reliability
- Layer 2 or Layer 3 connectivity models
- Multiple peering options (private, Microsoft, public)
Use ExpressRoute for mission-critical workloads like SAP, SQL, or regulatory systems. Monitor usage with NPM or ExpressRoute metrics.
Virtual WAN
Azure Virtual WAN simplifies hybrid and branch connectivity through centralized virtual hubs. Benefits include:
- SD-WAN and VPN integration
- Simplified routing with automated BGP
- Built-in Azure Firewall and diagnostics
Virtual WAN is ideal for enterprise-grade deployments spanning multiple regions and business units.
Architecture Patterns and Governance
Effective governance ensures Azure networks remain compliant, cost-efficient, and scalable.
Hub-and-Spoke Model
In this model:
- The hub VNet contains shared services (DNS, NVA, security)
- Spoke VNets host applications or environments
- Peering is used for connectivity
This design supports strong isolation, central inspection, and simplified management.
Use NSGs, route tables, and Azure Firewall to enforce segmentation. Service endpoints or private endpoints can be centralized in the hub.
Zero Trust Networking
Zero Trust means verifying every access request regardless of its origin. Network implementations include:
- Isolating workloads with NSGs and ASGs
- Applying micro-segmentation
- Restricting egress traffic
- Using private endpoints for all services
Zero Trust also extends to identity controls using Conditional Access and RBAC.
Policy and Blueprint Enforcement
Azure Policy ensures resources comply with organizational standards. Examples:
- Restricting public IP creation
- Mandating NSGs for every subnet
- Enforcing private endpoint usage
Blueprints combine policies, role assignments, and resource templates. They accelerate onboarding and ensure environment consistency.
Monitoring and Compliance
Log Analytics and Azure Monitor provide real-time insights into traffic, performance, and security posture. Key practices include:
- Setting up metric alerts for VPN tunnels or gateway latency
- Using Workbooks for dashboard visualization
- Integrating with SIEM tools like Microsoft Sentinel
Audit logs, flow logs, and diagnostic settings should be retained for governance and incident response.
Exam Readiness
The AZ-700 exam is designed for professionals who architect and implement network solutions on Microsoft Azure. Mastery requires both theoretical understanding and practical skills across a range of services and tools.
Key Topics to Revisit
- Custom routing with UDRs and BGP
- Hybrid connectivity using VPN, ExpressRoute, Virtual WAN
- Secure perimeter configuration with NSGs, Firewall, WAF
- Load balancing at multiple layers
- Private access with endpoints and DNS integration
- Governance via Azure Policy and RBAC
- Monitoring, diagnostics, and alerting practices
Lab and Practice Recommendations
- Deploy a multi-region hub-and-spoke topology
- Create secure VMs using NSGs and Bastion
- Build a test environment with Application Gateway and WAF
- Implement service endpoints and private endpoints for SQL and Storage
- Monitor flow logs and troubleshoot with Network Watcher
Exam Strategy
- Understand service limits, pricing tiers, and SKU differences
- Study ARM templates and Bicep scripts for deployment scenarios
- Prepare for drag-and-drop questions involving network architecture
- Practice with Microsoft Learn modules and sandbox labs
Conclusion
This concludes the three-part study series for AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions. Across these segments, we have explored foundational principles, advanced architectures, and governance strategies essential for building resilient, secure, and efficient cloud networks.
By mastering these topics and engaging in hands-on labs, candidates position themselves to not only pass the AZ-700 exam but also excel as Azure network engineers in real-world cloud environments. The future of networking in Azure is complex yet full of opportunity for those willing to architect with intent and precision.