Private endpoints concept in Azure - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Private endpoints concept

Create Private Endpoint

↓

Assign to VNet Subnet

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Connect to Azure Service Privately

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Traffic Routed via Private IP

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Secure Access without Public Internet

This flow shows how a private endpoint is created and linked to a virtual network subnet, enabling private and secure access to an Azure service without using the public internet.

Execution Sample

Azure

az network private-endpoint create \
  --name myPrivateEndpoint \
  --resource-group myResourceGroup \
  --vnet-name myVNet \
  --subnet mySubnet \
  --private-connection-resource-id /subscriptions/xxx/resourceGroups/xxx/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/mystorage \
  --group-ids blob \
  --connection-name myConnection

This command creates a private endpoint in a subnet to connect privately to an Azure Storage account's blob service.

Process Table

Step	Action	Resource State Change	Network Behavior
1	Create private endpoint resource	Private endpoint resource created but not linked	No traffic routed yet
2	Assign private endpoint to VNet subnet	Private endpoint linked to subnet with private IP	Subnet now has private IP for endpoint
3	Connect private endpoint to Azure service	Private link connection established	Traffic to service routes via private IP
4	Use private endpoint from VM in subnet	No resource change	Traffic flows privately, no public internet used
5	Delete private endpoint	Private endpoint resource removed	Traffic reverts to public endpoint if available

💡 Private endpoint deleted or disconnected, private traffic routing stops

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
PrivateEndpointResource	None	Created	Linked to subnet	Connected to service	Active and routing traffic	Deleted
PrivateIP	None	None	Assigned in subnet	Used for service traffic	Used for service traffic	Released
TrafficRoute	Public internet	Public internet	Public internet	Private IP route	Private IP route	Public internet or disconnected

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does traffic route through a private IP after creating the private endpoint?

Because after step 3 in the execution_table, the private endpoint connects to the Azure service, assigning a private IP in the subnet that routes traffic privately instead of over the public internet.

Does creating a private endpoint immediately change network traffic?

No, as shown in step 1 and 2, the private endpoint resource is created and linked to the subnet, but traffic routing changes only after the connection to the Azure service is established in step 3.

What happens to traffic if the private endpoint is deleted?

According to step 5, deleting the private endpoint removes the private IP and connection, so traffic reverts to using the public endpoint or fails if no public access is available.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, at which step is the private IP assigned to the subnet?

A Step 2

B Step 1

C Step 3

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Check the 'Resource State Change' column for when the private endpoint links to the subnet.

According to variable_tracker, what is the traffic route after step 3?

A Public internet

B Private IP route

C Disconnected

D Unknown

💡 Hint

Look at the 'TrafficRoute' row under 'After Step 3' column.

If the private endpoint is deleted, what happens to the PrivateEndpointResource variable?

A It remains connected

B It becomes active

C It is deleted

D It is assigned a new IP

💡 Hint

Refer to the 'Final' column for 'PrivateEndpointResource' in variable_tracker.

Concept Snapshot

Private endpoints create a private IP in your virtual network subnet.
This private IP connects securely to an Azure service.
Traffic to the service routes privately, avoiding the public internet.
You create them by linking a private endpoint resource to a subnet and service.
Deleting the endpoint removes private routing.
Use private endpoints to enhance security and reduce exposure.

Full Transcript

Private endpoints in Azure allow you to connect privately and securely to Azure services by assigning a private IP address within your virtual network subnet. The process starts by creating a private endpoint resource, then linking it to a subnet, and finally connecting it to the Azure service. Once connected, traffic from your resources in the subnet routes through this private IP, avoiding the public internet and enhancing security. If the private endpoint is deleted, the private IP and connection are removed, and traffic reverts to the public endpoint if available. This setup helps keep your data secure and isolated within your network.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of an Azure Private Endpoint?

easy

A. To make Azure services publicly accessible over the internet

B. To increase the speed of internet browsing

C. To connect to Azure services privately within your network

D. To create virtual machines automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a Private Endpoint does

   A Private Endpoint connects your network privately to Azure services, avoiding public internet.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this definition

   Only To connect to Azure services privately within your network describes private network connection to Azure services.

3. Final Answer:

   To connect to Azure services privately within your network -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Private Endpoint = Private connection [OK]

Hint: Private endpoints = private network access to Azure [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing private endpoint with public access
• Thinking it speeds up internet browsing
• Assuming it creates virtual machines

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a Private Endpoint in Azure Portal?

easy

A. Go to Private Link Center > Private Endpoints > Create

B. Go to Virtual Machines > Create > Private Endpoint

C. Go to Storage Accounts > Networking > Public Access

D. Go to Azure Active Directory > Users > Private Endpoint

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify where Private Endpoints are managed

   Private Endpoints are created under Private Link Center in Azure Portal.

2. Step 2: Match the correct navigation path

   Go to Private Link Center > Private Endpoints > Create correctly shows Private Link Center > Private Endpoints > Create.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Private Link Center > Private Endpoints > Create -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Private Endpoint creation is in Private Link Center [OK]

Hint: Private Endpoints are under Private Link Center in Azure Portal [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking under Virtual Machines or Storage Accounts
• Confusing Private Endpoint with user management
• Selecting Public Access settings instead

3. Consider this scenario: You create a Private Endpoint for an Azure Storage Account. What happens to the network traffic when you access the storage account from your virtual network?

medium

A. Traffic goes over the public internet but is encrypted

B. Traffic is routed through a public IP address of the storage account

C. Traffic is blocked unless you use a VPN

D. Traffic is routed privately inside Azure network, avoiding public internet

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Private Endpoint traffic routing

   Private Endpoints route traffic privately inside Azure, avoiding the public internet.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   Traffic is routed privately inside Azure network, avoiding public internet correctly states traffic is routed privately inside Azure network.

3. Final Answer:

   Traffic is routed privately inside Azure network, avoiding public internet -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Private Endpoint = private routing inside Azure [OK]

Hint: Private Endpoint routes traffic inside Azure, not public internet [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming traffic still uses public internet
• Thinking VPN is always required
• Confusing public IP routing with private endpoint

4. You created a Private Endpoint but your virtual machine cannot access the Azure SQL Database privately. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The virtual machine is not in the same subscription

B. The Private Endpoint DNS configuration is missing or incorrect

C. Azure SQL Database does not support Private Endpoints

D. The virtual machine needs a public IP address

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify common Private Endpoint issues

   DNS configuration is critical for Private Endpoint to resolve the private IP address.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   The Private Endpoint DNS configuration is missing or incorrect points to DNS misconfiguration, a common cause of access failure.

3. Final Answer:

   The Private Endpoint DNS configuration is missing or incorrect -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   DNS setup is key for Private Endpoint access [OK]

Hint: Check DNS settings if Private Endpoint access fails [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming subscription difference blocks access
• Believing Azure SQL doesn't support Private Endpoints
• Thinking public IP is needed for private access

5. You want to secure access to an Azure Key Vault so only your virtual network can reach it privately. Which combination of Azure features should you use?

hard

A. Enable Private Endpoint for the Key Vault and configure DNS to resolve the private IP

B. Use a Public IP with firewall rules allowing your network IP range

C. Create a Private Endpoint for the Key Vault and configure virtual network service endpoints

D. Deploy a VPN gateway and connect to the Key Vault over public internet

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand securing Key Vault with private access

   Private Endpoint provides private IP access; DNS must resolve Key Vault name to this private IP.

2. Step 2: Analyze options for best practice

   Enable Private Endpoint for the Key Vault and configure DNS to resolve the private IP correctly combines Private Endpoint creation with DNS configuration for private access.

3. Final Answer:

   Enable Private Endpoint for the Key Vault and configure DNS to resolve the private IP -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Private Endpoint + DNS config = secure private access [OK]

Hint: Private Endpoint plus DNS setup secures private access [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing service endpoints with Private Endpoints
• Relying on public IP and firewall only
• Using VPN unnecessarily for private Azure service access