Hybrid Connectivity Basics¶
Hybrid connectivity allows you to extend your on-premises network into Azure, enabling seamless communication between local resources and cloud services.
| Feature | VPN Gateway | ExpressRoute |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | Up to 10 Gbps. | 50 Mbps to 10 Gbps |
| Latency | Variable (Internet). | Low/Predictable (Private). |
| Cost | Lower cost. | Higher (Circuit + Port). |
| Best Use Case | Branch offices, Dev/Test. | Critical workloads, Data migrations. |
mermaid graph LR OnPrem[On-Premises Network] --- VPN[S2S VPN Tunnel] VPN --- VNG[Virtual Network Gateway] OnPrem --- ER[ExpressRoute Circuit] ER --- VNG VNG --- VNet[Azure Virtual Network]
Note
Hybrid DNS is often the most complex part of a hybrid setup. Consider using Azure DNS Private Resolvers to bridge queries between on-premises and Azure Private DNS Zones.
Connectivity Planning Matrix¶
| Constraint | Preferred Option | Planning Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid deployment | VPN Gateway | Shared key, tunnel stability, routing |
| Deterministic latency | ExpressRoute | Circuit provider, redundancy, failover |
| Mixed branch and core workloads | VPN + ExpressRoute | Route preference and segmentation |