Configure private endpoints

Private endpoints in Microsoft Azure are network interfaces that connect you privately and securely to services powered by Azure Private Link. As part of the exam AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator, you need to understand how to configure these private endpoints to enable secure access to Azure services without exposure to the public internet.

What are Azure Private Endpoints?

Azure Private Endpoint is a network interface that connects your virtual network (VNet) privately to a service powered by Azure Private Link. The Private Endpoint uses a private IP address from your VNet, enabling the service to be accessed securely within your VNet or even on-premises using an ExpressRoute or VPN.

Key Concepts

• Private Link: Service that provides the connectivity between your VNet and Azure services.
• Private Endpoint: The specific interface on your VNet that connects to a particular instance of a Private Link service.
• Private Link Service: A service which you can access through Azure Private Link.

How to Configure Private Endpoints

Step 1: Create a Private Endpoint

1. Open the Azure portal and go to the ‘Private Link Center’.
2. Click on ‘Private endpoints’ and then “+ New private endpoint”.
3. Fill out the basics, including the name, subscription, resource group, and location.

Step 2: Configure the Resource

1. Select the resource type you want to connect to, such as Azure Storage or SQL databases.
2. Pick the specific resource and target sub-resource you would like to connect to.
3. Choose the virtual network and subnet where the private endpoint will be created.

Step 3: Configure DNS Integration

When a private endpoint is created, Azure generates a private DNS zone for the service you are connecting to. You’ll need to integrate this DNS zone with your own DNS to resolve the private link service.

1. Choose to integrate with a private DNS zone.
2. Select or create a private DNS zone corresponding to the Azure service you are connecting to.

Step 4: Review and Create

• Review all the configurations and then click on “Create” to provision the private endpoint.

Example Configuration

Let’s say you need to configure a private endpoint for an Azure Storage account.

• VNet Name: MyVNet
• Subnet: MySubnet
• Storage Account Name: mystorageaccount
• Private Endpoint Name: mystorageendpoint

The steps would be:

1. In the Azure portal, navigate to ‘Private Link Center’.
2. Click ‘Private endpoints’, then ‘+ New private endpoint’.
3. Enter “mystorageendpoint” for the name, select your subscription, and choose the resource group and region of your VNet.
4. In the resource tab, select Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts as the resource type and choose “mystorageaccount” as the resource.
5. In the configuration tab, choose MyVNet and MySubnet where you want to place the private endpoint.
6. Opt to integrate with a private DNS zone – usually it will be “privatelink.blob.core.windows.net” for Azure Blob Storage.
7. Review all settings, then click “Review + create”, and finally “Create”.

Considerations

• Subnet Delegation: This feature can’t be used with subnets that have a service endpoint or service delegation. Make sure your subnet is ready for Private Endpoint use.
• Network Security: Even though the resource is accessed using a private IP address within the Azure VNet, you should still configure Network Security Groups (NSG) to restrict traffic as necessary.
• Connectivity from On-premises: For connectivity from on-premises network environments, ensure your VPN or ExpressRoute gateway is configured correctly to route traffic to the Private Endpoint’s IP address.
• Outbound Connectivity: The service behind the Private Endpoint may require outbound internet connectivity. Ensure that you have either configured Network Virtual Appliances appropriately or allowed certain required traffic.

Benefits of Using Private Endpoints

• Security: Minimizes data exposure, ensuring access to Azure services over a private network.
• Performance: Typically offers better network performance thanks to optimal routing within the Azure network.
• Simplicity: Streamlines the network architecture by removing the need for public IP addresses for internal service access.

Comparing Private Endpoints and Service Endpoints

By understanding how to configure private endpoints, you are positioning yourself to effectively secure and manage Azure service connectivity in line with best practices. This knowledge is crucial for any Azure Administrator and will serve you well in your AZ-104 certification efforts and in real-world Azure administration tasks.