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Celestina Odili
Celestina Odili

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Create an Azure Virtual Network (VNet)

Contents
Overview of Azure Virtual Network
Steps to Creating Azure Virtual Network

Overview of Azure Virtual Network

Azure Virtual Network (VNet) is a versatile and powerful service that provides flexibility, security, and scalability required to support a wide range of applications and workloads in the cloud. It enable users to securely connect Azure resources to each other, to the internet, and to on-premises networks. It serves as the backbone for networking within the Azure ecosystem, offering a range of features and capabilities that facilitate secure and efficient communication.

Key Features and Capabilities
  • Isolation and Segmentation: VNets provide logical isolation within the Azure environment, allowing users to create multiple isolated networks. Each VNet is isolated from other VNets, providing a secure environment for deploying resources.

  • Subnets: A subnet or subnetwork is a network inside a network. VNets can be divided into subnets to enable better organization and management of resources. Subnets can also be used to apply network security policies and route network traffic.

  • Network Security Groups (NSGs): NSGs allow users to control inbound and outbound traffic to and from network interfaces, VMs, and subnets. They act as virtual firewalls, providing granular control over network traffic.

  • Azure Firewall: A managed, cloud-based network security service that protects Azure Virtual Network resources. It allows users to define, enforce, and log application and network connectivity policies.

  • VPN Gateway: This service enables secure cross-premises connectivity between the VNet and on-premises infrastructure through a secure VPN tunnel. It supports both site-to-site and point-to-site configurations.

  • ExpressRoute: Provides a dedicated, private connection between Azure datacenters and on-premises infrastructure or colocation environments. It offers higher security, reliability, and faster speeds compared to typical internet connections.

  • Peering: VNet peering allows VNets to communicate with each other directly through the Azure backbone network, enabling low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity between VNets in the same region or across regions.

  • Load Balancing: Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway provide scalable and high-availability network services. They distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers to ensure reliability and optimal performance.

  • DNS Services: Azure DNS hosts domain names and resolves DNS queries using Microsoft’s global network of name servers, ensuring high performance and availability.

  • DDoS Protection: Azure DDoS Protection safeguards applications by scrubbing traffic at the Azure network edge before it can affect service availability.

Use Cases
  • Hybrid Cloud Deployments: Securely extend on-premises networks to Azure, enabling a hybrid cloud environment that leverages the benefits of both on-premises and cloud resources.
  • Multi-Tier Applications: Deploy multi-tier applications with isolated network environments for different tiers (e.g., web, application, and database tiers) to enhance security and manageability.

  • Disaster Recovery: Utilize VNets for disaster recovery setups, ensuring that critical applications and data can be quickly recovered in the event of a failure.

  • Big Data and Analytics: Deploy big data and analytics solutions, connecting various services and resources securely within the VNet for efficient data processing and analysis.

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Steps to Creating Azure Virtual Network

This guide will create an Azure virtual network with four subnets using the address space 192.148.30.0/26 for company XYZ. The four chosen subnets represent four departments in the company which are ICT, Sales, Audit, and Account. Below is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Log in to the Azure Portal
  • On your web browser, type portal.azure.com to go to the Azure Portal login page.

  • Log in with your Azure account credentials or click here to create a free one if you do not have an account yet.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Network
  • On the Azure Portal search bar, type Virtual Network and select Virtual Network from the list.

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  • click Create.

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Step 3: Configure the Virtual Network Basics

In the Basics tab, fill in the following details:

  • Subscription: Select the subscription to use.

  • Resource group: Create a new resource group or select an existing one.

  • Name: Enter a name for the VNet (example: XYZ-VNet).

  • Region: Select the region where you want to create the VNet.
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Step 4: Configure the Address Space
  • Click on the IP Addresses tab.
  • Under IPv4 address space,
  • Enter 192.148.30.0 in the Address space field and select /26 on the CIDR field then delete the default subnet created and add your subnets. Image description
Step 5: Add Subnets

add four subnets for ICT, Sale, Audit and Account department
For ICT Subnet:
Under the Subnets section of the address space,

  1. click on + Add subnet. On the Add subnet screen,
  2. enter or select values for the subnet settings. Enter the following details for example:
  3. Subnet name: ICT
  4. Starting address: 192.148.30.0
  5. size: select /28
  6. Click Add Image description

For sales Subnet:

  • click on + Add subnet
  • Subnet name: sales
  • starting address: 192.148.30.16
  • Size:/28
  • Click Add Do the same for the other two subnets with the following details:

For Audit Subnet:

  • Subnet name: Audit
  • starting address: 192.148.30.32
  • Size:/28
  • Click Add

For account Subnet:
Subnet name: Account

  • starting address : 192.148.30.48
  • Size:/28
  • Click Add
Step 6: Review and Create the VNet

Once all subnets are added,

  • click on the Review + create button at the bottom of the page.

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  • Review the settings to ensure everything is configured correctly.
  • Click Create to deploy the Virtual Network.
Step 7: Verify the Deployment
  • After the deployment is complete, click Go to resource to see the overview. Image description

Ensure that the subnets are created with the correct address ranges.

  • On the left pane, click setting

  • select subnets

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By the way, if this is for practice only, endeavor to delete the virtual network after creating to avoid unnecessary costs.
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