What is Azure Peering Service?
Azure Peering Service is a networking service that enhances connectivity to Microsoft cloud services such as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, SaaS services and Azure, or any Microsoft service accessible via the public internet. Microsoft partners with internet service providers (ISPs), internet exchange partners (IXPs) and software-defined cloud interconnect (SDCI) providers worldwide to deliver reliable, high-performing public connectivity with optimal routing from the customer to the Microsoft network.
Customers select a well-connected partner service provider in a given region. Public connectivity is optimized for high reliability and minimal latency from cloud services to the end-user location. Optional telemetry such as user latency measures and BGP route monitoring becomes available by registering the Peering Service connection in the Azure portal.
Core Features
Optimal public routing: Traffic for registered prefixes enters and exits the Microsoft network at the nearest Microsoft Edge PoP, minimizing the number of AS hops.
Partner choice: Customers select their preferred service provider for connecting to the Microsoft cloud.
Local and geo-redundancy: Microsoft and providers interconnect across multiple Microsoft Edge PoPs with failover across two routers per location, and at multiple metro locations so traffic reroutes when a node degrades.
Cold-potato routing: Traffic originating from the Microsoft cloud stays on the Microsoft network as long as possible.
Monitoring platform: The Azure portal provides metrics for traffic rates, BGP session availability, packet drops, flap events, latency and prefix events.
Typical Use Cases
Internet-first cloud access: Enterprises that deliberately rely on internet connectivity rather than private circuits gain optimized and monitored routing to the Microsoft cloud.
SD-WAN architectures: Sites using SD-WAN benefit from optimal routing plus visibility into latency and route behavior.
Heavy Microsoft 365 usage: Organizations with intensive SaaS usage need robust, high-performing internet connectivity to Microsoft.
Routing diagnostics: Route analytics surfaces events for BGP anomalies and suboptimal routing for network architects.
Benefits
- Optimal public routing to Microsoft cloud services with a minimized number of AS hops
- Free choice of service provider in each region
- Local and geographic redundancy of interconnects
- Traffic insights with latency reporting and prefix monitoring
- No registration with Microsoft required to use the service
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you in assessing Azure Peering Service within your network architecture: distinguishing it from ExpressRoute and VPN, selecting suitable partner providers, registering the connection for telemetry, and interpreting the routing metrics.
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation on Azure Peering Service.
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azure Peering Service the same as ExpressRoute?
No. Microsoft explicitly states that Peering Service is not a private connectivity product like Azure ExpressRoute or Azure VPN Gateway. Peering Service is an IP service that uses the public internet and optimizes routing through partner providers.
How do I obtain Azure Peering Service?
Customers are not required to register with Microsoft. The only requirement is to contact a Peering Service partner, an ISP or internet exchange partner that collaborates with Microsoft on Peering Service.
What telemetry is available?
After registering the Peering Service connection in the Azure portal, metrics are available for ingress and egress traffic rates, BGP session availability, packet drops, flap events, latency and prefix events. Route analytics adds events for BGP route anomalies and suboptimal routing.
What is cold-potato routing?
Cold-potato routing is a software-defined routing technique that keeps traffic originating from the Microsoft cloud on the high-capacity, low-latency Microsoft global network until it is as close to the destination as possible. With hot-potato routing, traffic leaves the Microsoft network earlier and travels over the internet.
Which services benefit from Peering Service?
Peering Service improves connectivity to Microsoft cloud services reachable over the public internet, including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, SaaS services and Azure.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Azure (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Azure.
