Azure Service Endpoints vs Private Endpoints vs Private Links

Amaresh Pelleti

Introduction:
Azure offers various networking features for secure and private access to services and resources, including Service Endpoints, Private Endpoints, and Private Links. Understanding the distinctions and the services supported by each is vital for secure networking in Azure.

Azure Service Endpoints

  • Azure Service Endpoints: Extend the Azure virtual network privately to Azure services, allowing secure access.

Services Supported:

  1. Azure Storage
  2. Azure SQL Database
  3. Azure Cosmos DB
  4. Azure Key Vault
  5. Azure App Service
  6. Azure Container Registry
  7. Azure Event Hubs
  8. Azure Service Bus
  9. Azure SQL Data Warehouse
  10. Azure Backup

Brief Description:
Azure Service Endpoints enable secure and direct communication between resources within a virtual network and specific Azure services. By routing traffic through the Azure backbone network, it provides a secure and optimized connection without requiring public IPs or traversing the internet.

Azure Private Endpoints

  • Azure Private Endpoints: Enable access to Azure PaaS services over a private IP address within a virtual network.

Services Supported:

  1. Azure Blob Storage
  2. Azure File Storage
  3. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
  4. Azure SQL Database
  5. Azure Database for MySQL
  6. Azure Database for PostgreSQL
  7. Azure Database for MariaDB
  8. Azure Key Vault
  9. Azure Storage Queues
  10. Azure Storage Tables

Brief Description:
Private Endpoints allow Azure PaaS services to be securely accessed from within a virtual network, providing a private IP address in the VNet. This integration ensures that the service is only accessible via the private IP address, enhancing security and compliance.

Azure Private Links

  • Azure Private Links: Provide secure and private connectivity between a customer’s virtual network and Azure PaaS services.

Services Supported:

  1. Azure Container Registry
  2. Azure Event Hubs
  3. Azure Service Bus
  4. Azure Event Grid
  5. Azure Relay
  6. Azure IoT Hub
  7. Azure API Management

Brief Description:
Azure Private Links allow for secure connectivity between a customer’s VNet and specific Azure PaaS services, ensuring that traffic stays within the Azure network backbone. This setup enhances security, compliance, and data privacy.

Understanding the distinction between Service Endpoints, Private Endpoints, and Private Links is crucial for designing secure and private network access in Azure, catering to different services and use cases.