What is Azure Virtual WAN?
Azure Virtual WAN is a networking service that brings together many networking, security, and routing functions into a single operational interface. The service provides a global transit hub that connects branch offices, data centers, and Azure VNets over the Microsoft Global Network. Virtual WAN simplifies complex hub-and-spoke architectures through automated routing and integrated security.
Instead of manually managing VPN gateways, route tables, and peering connections, Virtual WAN handles the orchestration and enables global any-to-any connectivity.
Key Features
- Automated Routing: BGP-based routing between all connected networks without manual route tables
- Integrated VPN: Site-to-Site VPN with up to 20 Gbps aggregate throughput per hub
- ExpressRoute Integration: Native ExpressRoute gateway integration for private connections
- Azure Firewall Integration: Secured Virtual Hub with integrated firewall for centralized security
- SD-WAN Partner Integration: Automated connection with partner solutions like Cisco, VMware, Versa
Typical Use Cases
Global Enterprise Networks: Connecting hundreds of branch offices worldwide with Azure workloads over the Microsoft backbone.
Multi-Region Azure Deployment: Transit routing between Azure VNets in different regions without complex peering setup.
Centralized Security: Secured Virtual Hubs with Azure Firewall for unified security policies across all locations.
Benefits
- Simplified Architecture: Replaces complex hub-and-spoke setups with manual route tables
- Global Reach: Microsoft backbone with low latency between all Azure regions
- Scalable: Up to 1000 branch connections per hub without capacity planning
- Integrated Security: Firewall-as-a-Service without additional NVA management
Frequently Asked Questions about Azure Virtual WAN
What is the difference between Basic and Standard tier?
Basic supports only Site-to-Site VPN. Standard tier additionally offers ExpressRoute, Point-to-Site VPN, VNet-to-VNet transit, and Azure Firewall integration. Standard is required for enterprise scenarios.
How does routing work in Virtual WAN?
Virtual WAN uses BGP for dynamic routing. All connected networks (VNets, branches, ExpressRoute) automatically exchange routes. Custom route tables enable segmentation and traffic isolation.
Can I use existing VPN hardware?
Yes, Virtual WAN is compatible with standard IPSec/IKEv2 VPN devices. Microsoft provides validated configurations for devices from Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, and others. SD-WAN partners like Cisco Viptela or VMware can be automatically provisioned.
What does Virtual WAN cost?
Costs consist of hub hours (Basic or Standard), gateway units for VPN/ExpressRoute, and data transfer costs. For multi-region setups, Virtual WAN is often more cost-effective than individual gateways per region.
How do I integrate Azure Firewall?
Create a Secured Virtual Hub with Azure Firewall Manager. The firewall is automatically deployed in the hub and all inter-hub and internet traffic can be centrally filtered.
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you with Azure Virtual WAN: from evaluating whether Virtual WAN is suitable for your topology to designing global network architectures to migrating existing hub-and-spoke setups.
