Step-by-Step Guide to Establishing a Secure Azure VPN Gateway Connection

In the realm of cloud computing, ensuring secure connections between your on-premises infrastructure and Azure is paramount. One of the most effective methods to achieve this is through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Gateway. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a secure Azure VPN Gateway connection.

Step 1: Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• An active Azure subscription. If you don’t have one, create it by visiting the Azure website.
• Administrative access to the Azure portal.
• A basic understanding of networking concepts and VPN technologies.
• A virtual network (VNet) already configured in Azure, as the VPN Gateway will connect to this.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Network Gateway

1. Navigate to the Azure Portal:
   Log in to your Azure account and open the Azure portal.

2. Create a Resource:
   Click on the “+ Create a resource” option at the top left corner of the portal.

3. Search for ‘Virtual Network Gateway’:
   In the search bar, type Virtual Network Gateway and select it from the results.

4. Fill in the Required Fields:

   • Name: Give your gateway a unique name.
   • Region: Select the same region as your VNet to reduce latency.
   • Gateway Type: Choose ‘VPN’.
   • VPN Type: Select either ‘Route-based’ or ‘Policy-based’, depending on your requirements. Route-based is commonly used.
   • SKU: Choose the appropriate SKU based on your performance and pricing requirements.
   • Virtual Network: Select the VNet you created earlier.
   • Public IP Address: Create a new public IP address for the gateway.

5. Review and Create:
   Review your settings, ensuring they are accurate, then click “Create”. The deployment will take a few minutes.

Step 3: Configure the Local Network Gateway

1. Create Another Resource:
   Once the Virtual Network Gateway is created, you will need to set up a Local Network Gateway, which represents your on-premises location.

2. Search for ‘Local Network Gateway’:
   In the Azure portal, click “+ Create a resource” and search for Local Network Gateway.

3. Fill in the Required Fields:

   • Name: Provide a distinct name for your local gateway.
   • IP Address: Enter the public IP address of your on-premises VPN device.
   • Address Space: Specify the address ranges of your on-premises network (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24).

4. Review and Create:
   Double-check the input and click “Create”. Your Local Network Gateway will now be created.

Step 4: Set Up the VPN Connection

1. Navigate to the Virtual Network Gateway:
   Go back to the resource group where your Virtual Network Gateway is located and select it.

2. Connections:
   In the settings pane, click on Connections and then click “+ Add”.

3. Configure the Connection:

   • Name: Provide a name for the connection.
   • Connection Type: Select ‘Site-to-site (IPSec)’.
   • Virtual Network Gateway: Ensure your previously created gateway is selected.
   • Local Network Gateway: Select the local network gateway you created.
   • Shared Key: Enter a secure shared key that will be used for authentication between the Azure VPN Gateway and your on-premises device.

4. Review and Create:
   Verify your configurations and click “Create”. The connection will take a few moments to establish.

Step 5: Configure Your On-Premises VPN Device

This step varies significantly depending on the hardware or software you are using. You will need to configure your VPN device to match the settings defined in your Azure VPN Gateway. Key items to configure include:

• Setting up the IPSec parameters as specified in Microsoft’s documentation for your VPN device.
• Defining the shared key that matches what you set in Azure.
• Enabling routing for the address spaces used by Azure.

Refer to the Azure documentation for detailed configuration steps for various devices.

Step 6: Test the VPN Connection

1. Check VPN Status:
   In the Azure portal, navigate back to your Virtual Network Gateway and view the status of your connection under the Connections blade. It should display as “Connected”.

2. Ping Test:
   From a machine within your on-premises network, try to ping an IP address within your Azure VNet to confirm connectivity.

Conclusion

Setting up a secure Azure VPN Gateway connection is a crucial step for organisations looking to integrate their on-premises networks with the Azure cloud platform. This guide has provided clear steps to assist you in this process. By following these instructions, you can ensure that your data transfers are secure and efficient, providing the foundation for a robust cloud strategy. Be sure to monitor your connection regularly and undertake updates as new features become available in Azure.