How to Create and Configure Virtual Networks in Azure

Introduction
Azure Virtual Network (VNet) provides a secure and scalable environment for Azure resources to communicate—whether it's with each other, external networks, or on-premises infrastructure. Within a VNet, resources are organized into subnets, allowing for structured and efficient network segmentation.

In this project, you'll gain hands-on experience with key networking tasks, including:

• *Creating a Resource Group *– The foundational container for managing related Azure resources.
• Setting Up a Virtual Network and Subnets – Establishing the core network structure to host your services.
• Configuring a Secondary VNet with a Firewall Subnet – Enhancing security through network isolation and traffic control.
• Establishing VNet Peering – Enabling seamless communication between two virtual networks.

By the end, you'll have a solid grasp of how to architect secure and interconnected environments in Azure.

Step 1: Create a Resource Group

• Sign in to the Azure Portal
  

• In the search bar, search for Resource groups
  

• Select + Create.
  

• Enter the following properties:
  Property Value
  Resource group RG1
  Region East US

• Click Review + create and then Create.
  

• Then Create.
  

Step 2 Create hub and spoke virtual networks and subnets

An Azure virtual network enables many types of Azure resources to securely communicate with each other, the internet, and on-premises networks. All Azure resources in a virtual network are deployed into subnets within the virtual network.

• In the Azure portal, Search for and select Virtual Networks.
  

• Create and complete the configuration of the app-vnet. This virtual network requires two subnets, frontend and backend.
  

• Select + Create
  

• In the Basics tab, enter the following information:

• Select “Review + create"
  Property Value
  Subscription Select your subscription
  Resource group RG1
  Name app-vnet
  Region East US
  

• Then Create.
  

• Click on go to resources button
  

Step 3: Configure IP Address Space

• Under settings, Select Address Space
• In the IP Addresses tab, set the following:
• IPv4 address space: 10.1.0.0/16 and Click on save button. This address space will allow multiple subnets within the virtual network.

Step 4: Create Subnets

• Still in the IP Addresses tab, add two subnets:
• Subnet name Address range
• frontend 10.1.0.0/24
• backend 10.1.1.0/24
• Leave other settings as defaults.

For Frontend subnet

• Under settings, Select Subnet
• Select + Subnet
• Give subnet a name frontend, enter starting address 10.1.0.0, enter size /24 and Click on Add.

For backend subnet

• Under settings, Select Subnet
• Select + Subnet

• Give subnet a name backend, enter starting address 10.1.1.0, enter size /24 and Click on Add.
  

• Frontend and the Backend Subnet as been created successfully
  

Step 5: Create the Hub-VNet Virtual Network

• Create another virtual network called hub-vnet.

• In the Azure portal, Search for and select Virtual Networks.
  

• Select + Create
  

• Enter the following properties:

• Property Value

• Resource group RG1

• Virtual network name hub-vnet

• Region East US

• Select Review + create

• Then Create.
  

• Click on go to resources button
  

Step 6 Configure IP Address Space for the firewall subnet

• Under settings, Select Address Space
• In the IP Addresses tab, set the following:
• IPv4 address space: 10.0.0.0/16 and Click on save button. This address space will allow multiple subnets within the virtual network.

Step 7 Create firewall subnet

• Under settings, Select Subnet
• Select + Subnet

• Select subnet purpose azure, enter starting address 10.0.0.0, enter size /26 and Click on Add.
  

• The Firewall subnet as been created successfully
  

Step 8 Configure a peer relationship between the virtual networks

• Search for and select the app-vnet virtual network.
  

• In the Settings blade, select Peerings.

• • Add a peering between the two virtual networks.

• Complete the following Configurations.

• Remote peering link name: app-vnet-to-hub

• Virtual network: hub-vnet
  

• Local virtual network peering link name: hub-to-app-vnet

• Note: Leave all other settings as their defaults. Select “Add” to create the virtual network peering.
  

• Once the deployment completes, verify the Peering status is Connected.
  

Conclusion
By completing this project, you've built a solid foundation in cloud networking—gaining practical skills in designing and configuring Azure Virtual Networks. From creating VNets and organizing them into subnets to enabling seamless communication through VNet peering, you've tackled essential components of cloud infrastructure. These capabilities not only strengthen your technical proficiency but also pave the way for more advanced scenarios, such as implementing network security groups, deploying VPN gateways, and integrating hybrid connectivity solutions. Mastering virtual networking is a key milestone on the path to becoming a confident and capable cloud architect.