An Azure VNet Endpoint is a service that enables you to privately access Azure PaaS services, such as Azure Storage and Azure SQL Database, from within a virtual network (VNet) without the need for public IP addresses or internet access.
When you create an Azure VNet Endpoint, you create a private link between your VNet and the Azure service. This link enables you to access the Azure service as if it were hosted within your VNet, using private IP addresses. This approach provides a more secure and efficient way of accessing Azure PaaS services, as traffic between your VNet and the PaaS service is routed over the Azure backbone network, rather than over the public internet.
VNet Endpoints are deployed within the context of a virtual network and can be created using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell. Once created, VNet Endpoints can be associated with specific subnets within a VNet.
Some benefits of using Azure VNet Endpoints include:
- Secure access: Azure VNet Endpoints provide a more secure way of accessing Azure PaaS services as traffic is restricted to the VNet.
- Improved performance: VNet Endpoints can improve performance by reducing latency and network congestion associated with accessing Azure PaaS services over the public internet.
- Simplified network architecture: By using VNet Endpoints, you can simplify your network architecture by reducing the number of components required to connect to Azure PaaS services.
Azure VNet Endpoints provide a secure and efficient way to access Azure PaaS services from within a VNet, without the need for public IP addresses or internet access.
