AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Deploy and Monitor Azure Network Adapter

The Azure Network Adapter is a simple way to create a secure connection between your on-premises Windows Server and an Azure virtual network. It sets up a VPN tunnel that links a local server directly to Azure, making hybrid cloud setups easier. With this tool, administrators avoid complex hardware or manual VPN configurations. By using Azure Network Adapter, you can quickly extend your local network into Azure without needing extra appliances. This approach helps businesses blend on-prem and cloud resources smoothly.

When you plan to deploy Azure Network Adapter, you must check several prerequisites. These include:

• Ensuring your on-premises Windows Server meets required system versions and updates.
• Defining IP ranges and network routes to prevent conflicts.
• Configuring firewall rules and opening the needed ports.
• Having the correct Azure permissions to create and manage VPN gateways.
  Reviewing these items early helps avoid deployment issues.

Configuring the Azure Network Adapter follows a few clear steps:

• Create a VPN Gateway in Azure in its own subnet to manage traffic.
• Define User Defined Routes (UDRs) and enable forced tunneling to control outbound flow.
• Attach the network adapter to your on-premises server via the Azure portal or PowerShell.
  These steps ensure secure, policy-compliant data transfer.

Once deployed, monitoring the connection is vital to maintain performance. Use the Azure portal to view connection health and check for any alerts or dropped packets. You can also run diagnostics with Azure Network Watcher to log and trace traffic flows. If you spot issues, reviewing logs and metrics helps you troubleshoot quickly. Regular checks help prevent downtime and keep your hybrid setup stable.

For the most reliable hybrid connectivity, follow Azure best practices. Implement DDoS Protection to guard against common threats and use Traffic Manager for load distribution. Set up a disaster recovery plan with backup gateways and test failover scenarios regularly. Consider peering virtual networks if you need low-latency communication between Azure resources and on-prem servers. Adopting these measures ensures your network stays secure, fast, and resilient.

Conclusion

Implementing and managing the Azure Network Adapter brings on-premises Windows Servers and Azure virtual networks together securely. By meeting prerequisites, following clear configuration steps, and using Azure’s monitoring tools, you can maintain a stable VPN connection. Applying best practices like DDoS Protection and disaster recovery planning strengthens your hybrid setup. Overall, Azure Network Adapter simplifies hybrid networking, making it easier to scale and secure your infrastructure.