Tutorial / Cram Notes
Public and private endpoints are terms used in networking to refer to the points of access to a service or resource from within a network or from the public internet. In the context of Microsoft Azure, these terms take on a more cloud-centric meaning but remain true to their networking roots.
Public Endpoints in Azure
Public endpoints are the interfaces through which resources in Azure can be accessed from the internet. When a service, such as an Azure Web App or a storage account, is configured with a public endpoint, it receives a publicly accessible URL and can be reached from anywhere on the web. This is advantageous for services meant to be consumed by a broad audience, such as customer-facing websites or publicly available APIs.
Example: A public Azure Blob Storage endpoint might be accessible through a URL like https://mystorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net. This public endpoint would allow users and applications to access blobs stored in this account from anywhere on the internet, assuming they have the appropriate permissions.
Private Endpoints in Azure
On the flip side, private endpoints are used to provide secure and private access to Azure services from within Azure Virtual Networks (VNets). When an Azure service is connected to a VNet through a private endpoint, it is effectively isolated from the public internet. This is crucial for enhancing security and network isolation for sensitive, business-critical applications or data stores.
Private endpoints make use of Azure Private Link, a service that enables Azure resources to be accessed via a private IP address within the VNet. Traffic between the VNet and the service travels over the Microsoft backbone network, avoiding public internet exposure and reducing the risk of external attacks.
Example: An Azure SQL Database with a private endpoint would be accessible only from within the VNet through a private URL, such as mysql.database.windows.net, and would not be reachable from the public internet.
Comparison between Public and Private Endpoints
Below is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between public and private endpoints in Azure:
| Feature | Public Endpoint | Private Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Accessible from the internet | Accessible only within a VNet |
| Network Isolation | Less isolated (publicly reachable) | Highly isolated (no direct internet access) |
| Security | Potentially open to more attack vectors | Increased security due to network isolation |
| Connectivity | Requires proper DNS configuration and security rules | Requires Azure Private Link and VNet integration |
| DNS Resolution | Resolves to public IP addresses | Resolves to private IP addresses within the VNet |
| Use Cases | Customer-facing apps, public APIs | Sensitive apps, internal databases and services |
| Traffic Routing | Via the public internet | Via Microsoft’s backbone network (no internet travel) |
It’s important to note that Azure allows for hybrid connectivity approaches as well. For instance, an Azure service may have both public and private endpoints, serving different audiences securely—public for general users, and private for internal users accessing over a VNet.
In conclusion, whether to use public or private endpoints in Azure is dependent on the requirements for each specific service in terms of security, accessibility, and network design. For the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, understanding the distinction and appropriate use cases for each type of endpoint is crucial to grasp the fundamental networking capabilities of Azure.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Public endpoints in Microsoft Azure are only accessible within the Azure cloud.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Public endpoints are accessible over the Internet by default and can be accessed from outside the Azure cloud.
True or False: Private endpoints in Azure allow resources to be accessed over a private link within the Azure network.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Private endpoints enable private access by using a private link. The traffic does not traverse over the public internet.
What does a private endpoint in Azure use to enable a secure connection to services?
- Azure Firewall
- Virtual Network Gateway
- Azure Private Link
- Network Security Group
Answer: Azure Private Link
Explanation: Azure Private Link facilitates a secure connection to Azure services by ensuring that access is over the Azure network infrastructure.
Which Azure resource can be configured to allow or deny traffic to a public endpoint?
- Azure Private Link
- Application Gateway
- Network Security Group (NSG)
- Azure Bastion
Answer: Network Security Group (NSG)
Explanation: An NSG can be used to filter network traffic to and from Azure resources in an Azure Virtual Network, including to a public endpoint.
True or False: A virtual machine can have both a public and a private endpoint.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A virtual machine can be configured with both types of endpoints, allowing for public access as well as private access within a virtual network.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are benefits of using private endpoints in Azure?
- Enhanced security
- Connectivity within the Azure backbone network
- Unlimited data transfer rates
- No Internet-required access
Answer: Enhanced security, Connectivity within the Azure backbone network, No Internet-required access
Explanation: Private endpoints provide enhanced security, connectivity through the Azure backbone network, and enable services to be accessed without requiring an internet connection.
True or False: Connecting to a service via a public endpoint always requires a VPN.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Public endpoints are accessible over the Internet and do not require a VPN, although a VPN can be used for securing the traffic.
What can Azure users leverage to reduce their public IP footprint and enhance security?
- Public IP Address
- Private Endpoints
- Load Balancer
- Application Gateway
Answer: Private Endpoints
Explanation: Private endpoints reduce the public IP footprint, as services can be accessed via the Azure virtual network, enhancing security.
True or False: Private endpoints in Azure can be used to connect to Azure services as well as services hosted on-premise.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Private endpoints can be used not only for Azure services but also for services hosted on-premises via Azure ExpressRoute or VPN, thanks to Azure’s Private Link service.
Which of the following features can be used to define fine-grained network controls for public endpoints on Azure?
- Azure Route Table
- Network Security Groups (NSGs)
- Azure Bastion
- Azure Firewall
Answer: Network Security Groups (NSGs)
Explanation: NSGs enable fine-grained control over network traffic to Azure resources, including public endpoints.
True or False: Public endpoints in Azure are exposed to the internet by default and always allow unrestricted access from any location.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While public endpoints are exposed to the internet by default, access can be restricted using various methods such as NSGs, Azure Firewall, and Access Control Lists (ACLs).
Azure’s Private Link can be used to provide access to which types of services?
- Azure Virtual Machines only
- Azure PaaS services like Azure Storage and SQL Database
- Azure Network Watcher only
- Azure Virtual Network alone
Answer: Azure PaaS services like Azure Storage and SQL Database
Explanation: Azure’s Private Link provides private connectivity to services like Azure Storage, Azure SQL Database, and other Azure PaaS services.
Interview Questions
What is a private endpoint?
A private endpoint is a network interface that connects to an Azure service over a private endpoint, allowing resources in the same virtual network as the service to access it privately.
What is a public endpoint?
A public endpoint is an IP address and port that are exposed to the public internet, allowing external access to the associated resources.
What is a private link service?
A private link service is an Azure service that is made available to customers via a private endpoint. It is accessible only over a private endpoint and provides a private IP address to the consumer.
What is the benefit of using private endpoints?
Using private endpoints provides secure access to Azure services without exposing them to the public internet, reducing the risk of attacks.
What is Azure Private Link?
Azure Private Link allows access to Azure PaaS services over a private endpoint, offering a more secure way to connect to Azure services.
What is a private endpoint connection?
A private endpoint connection is a secure, private connection between a virtual network and an Azure service, using a private endpoint.
What is Azure Private Endpoint for Azure Storage?
Azure Private Endpoint for Azure Storage is a network interface that connects to the Azure Storage service over a private endpoint, allowing access to the service over a private IP address.
What is Azure Storage Private Link?
Azure Storage Private Link is a secure way to access the Azure Storage service over a private endpoint, allowing access only from a private IP address within the same virtual network.
What is an endpoint in network security?
In network security, an endpoint is a device or node that connects to a network, such as a computer or a mobile device.
What is the purpose of designing network endpoints?
The purpose of designing network endpoints is to provide a secure and controlled way of accessing resources within a network, limiting access only to authorized parties.
What is network security?
Network security refers to the protection of a network and its assets from unauthorized access, attacks, and data breaches.
What are the types of network security?
The types of network security include access control, firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection, virtual private networks (VPNs), and security information and event management (SIEM) systems.
What is access control?
Access control is a security technique that limits access to resources in a network based on identity, role, and other criteria.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules.
What is intrusion prevention and detection?
Intrusion prevention and detection is a set of technologies that identify and prevent potential network security breaches by analyzing network traffic and identifying unusual patterns.
Can anyone explain the difference between public and private endpoints in Azure?
Anyone knows if using private endpoints impacts performance?
Can I convert a public endpoint to a private endpoint in Azure?
Are there additional costs associated with using private endpoints?
Can you use NSG (Network Security Groups) with both public and private endpoints?
Public endpoints seem risky for security. Any best practices to mitigate risks?
How does a private endpoint affect network architecture in a hybrid cloud setup?
Hi everyone, does anyone know if VPN is required for private endpoints?