Virtual Network Service Endpoints extend your virtual network private address space and identity to Azure services over a direct connection. This feature enables you to secure your critical Azure service resources to only your virtual networks, effectively removing public internet access to these r…Virtual Network Service Endpoints extend your virtual network private address space and identity to Azure services over a direct connection. This feature enables you to secure your critical Azure service resources to only your virtual networks, effectively removing public internet access to these resources.
When you enable a service endpoint, traffic from your virtual network to the Azure service travels over the Microsoft Azure backbone network rather than traversing the public internet. This provides several key benefits for security engineers.
First, service endpoints provide improved security by allowing you to fully remove public internet access to Azure resources. You can configure Azure service firewalls to accept connections only from specific virtual networks, ensuring that only authorized network traffic can reach your resources.
Second, service endpoints enable optimal routing for Azure service traffic. Routes in your virtual network that force internet traffic through on-premises or virtual appliances (known as forced tunneling) will not affect service endpoint traffic. The traffic stays on the Azure backbone network.
Third, service endpoints are simple to set up with no additional management overhead. You do not need NAT or gateway devices, reserved public IP addresses, or complex configurations to secure resources through service endpoints.
Supported services include Azure Storage, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Key Vault, Azure Service Bus, Azure Event Hubs, and many others. Each service may have specific configuration requirements.
To implement service endpoints, you enable them on subnets within your virtual network and then configure the corresponding Azure service to accept connections from that subnet. Service endpoint policies can further restrict access to specific Azure resources.
Service endpoints work at the subnet level and apply to all resources within that subnet. They provide a foundational security mechanism that complements other features like Private Link, which offers even more granular private connectivity options for Azure services.
Virtual Network Service Endpoints - Complete Guide for AZ-500
What are Virtual Network Service Endpoints?
Virtual Network (VNet) Service Endpoints extend your virtual network's private address space and identity to Azure services over a direct connection. They allow you to secure your critical Azure service resources to only your virtual networks, effectively removing public internet access to these resources.
Why are Service Endpoints Important?
Service Endpoints are crucial for Azure security because they:
• Enhance Security: Traffic from your VNet to Azure services always remains on the Microsoft Azure backbone network • Reduce Attack Surface: Remove public internet access to resources by allowing access only from your VNet • Simplify Management: No need for NAT or gateway devices to access Azure services • Provide Optimal Routing: Traffic takes the most optimal path to Azure services • Easy Setup: Simple to configure with no overhead or maintenance required
How Service Endpoints Work
When you enable a service endpoint on a subnet:
1. The subnet's route table is updated with a new route for the Azure service 2. Traffic destined for the service is redirected through the Azure backbone 3. The source IP address switches from public to private 4. The Azure service sees traffic coming from your VNet's private IP 5. You can then configure the Azure service to accept traffic only from your VNet
Supported Azure Services
Service Endpoints are available for: • Azure Storage • Azure SQL Database • Azure Synapse Analytics • Azure Cosmos DB • Azure Key Vault • Azure Service Bus • Azure Event Hubs • Azure App Service • Azure Cognitive Services
Configuration Steps
1. Navigate to your Virtual Network in Azure Portal 2. Select Service endpoints under Settings 3. Click Add and select the service (e.g., Microsoft.Storage) 4. Choose the subnet(s) to enable the endpoint 5. Configure the Azure service's firewall to allow the VNet
Service Endpoints vs Private Endpoints
Understanding the difference is critical for the exam:
Service Endpoints: • Use public IP addresses of the service • Traffic stays on Azure backbone • Configured at subnet level • Free to use
Private Endpoints: • Assign a private IP from your VNet to the service • Create a private link connection • More secure but have associated costs
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Virtual Network Service Endpoints
1. Recognize the Scenario: When a question mentions securing Azure PaaS services from the internet while maintaining VNet access, think Service Endpoints
2. Remember the Subnet Requirement: Service Endpoints are enabled per subnet, not per VNet or per resource
3. Two-Step Process: Always remember you must both enable the endpoint on the subnet AND configure the service firewall rules
4. Source IP Changes: Know that the source IP changes from public to private when using service endpoints
5. Cost Factor: Service Endpoints are free; if cost is a concern in the scenario, they may be preferred over Private Endpoints
6. On-Premises Access: Service Endpoints alone do not extend to on-premises networks; you need to add on-premises public IPs to service firewalls or use Private Endpoints with VPN/ExpressRoute
7. No DNS Changes: Service Endpoints do not require DNS configuration changes, unlike Private Endpoints
8. Regional Consideration: Service Endpoints are regional; they work for services in the same region or paired regions
9. Key Vault Scenarios: For questions about securing Key Vault access from VMs, Service Endpoints combined with Key Vault firewall rules is often the answer
10. Storage Account Security: When asked about preventing data exfiltration from storage accounts, consider Service Endpoints with service endpoint policies