Private Link for secure service access in Azure - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Private Link for secure service access

Client VM in VNet

↓

Private Endpoint

↓

Azure Private Link Service

↓

Azure Service (e.g., Storage, SQL)

↓

Traffic stays inside Azure backbone network

Client VM connects to Azure service through a private endpoint, keeping traffic secure inside Azure's network.

Execution Sample

Azure

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

Creates a private endpoint in a VNet subnet to securely connect to an Azure Storage account.

Process Table

Step	Action	Resource Created/Used	Network Path	Result
1	Create VNet and Subnet	VNet: myVNet, Subnet: mySubnet	N/A	Network ready for private endpoint
2	Create Private Endpoint	Private Endpoint: myPrivateEndpoint	Client VM -> Private Endpoint	Private IP assigned in subnet
3	Link Private Endpoint to Storage	Storage Account: myStorageAccount	Private Endpoint -> Storage	Secure private connection established
4	Client VM accesses Storage	Client VM	Client VM -> Private Endpoint -> Storage	Traffic stays inside Azure backbone
5	DNS Resolution	Private DNS Zone linked	Client VM resolves storage account to private IP	Name resolves to private IP
6	Access Storage via Private Link	Storage Account	Traffic does not go over public internet	Secure access confirmed
7	Exit	N/A	N/A	Private Link connection active and secure

💡 Private Link connection established, traffic secured inside Azure network

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
Private Endpoint IP	None	10.0.1.5 (example)	10.0.1.5	10.0.1.5	10.0.1.5
DNS Resolution	Public IP	Public IP	Public IP	Private IP	Private IP
Network Path	Client VM -> Internet -> Storage	Client VM -> Private Endpoint	Client VM -> Private Endpoint -> Storage	Client VM -> Private Endpoint -> Storage	Client VM -> Private Endpoint -> Storage

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the client VM use a private IP to access the storage instead of the public IP?

Because the private endpoint assigns a private IP in the subnet and DNS resolves the storage account name to this private IP, as shown in execution_table step 5.

Does traffic to the Azure service go over the public internet after setting up Private Link?

No, traffic stays inside Azure's backbone network via the private endpoint, as shown in execution_table steps 4 and 6.

What role does the Private DNS Zone play in Private Link access?

It ensures the storage account name resolves to the private IP of the private endpoint, enabling secure access, as shown in execution_table step 5.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the Private Endpoint IP after step 2?

A 10.0.1.5 (example)

B Public IP of storage

C None assigned yet

D Subnet gateway IP

💡 Hint

Check variable_tracker row 'Private Endpoint IP' after Step 2

At which step does DNS resolution change from public IP to private IP?

A Step 2

B Step 5

C Step 3

D Step 6

💡 Hint

See execution_table step 5 and variable_tracker 'DNS Resolution'

If the private endpoint was not linked to the storage account, what would happen to the network path?

A Storage would be inaccessible

B Traffic would still go through private endpoint

C Client VM would access storage via public internet

D Client VM would use VPN automatically

💡 Hint

Refer to variable_tracker 'Network Path' before step 2

Concept Snapshot

Private Link lets you connect to Azure services privately.
Create a private endpoint in your VNet subnet.
DNS resolves service name to private IP.
Traffic stays inside Azure network, not public internet.
Secure, private access to services like Storage or SQL.

Full Transcript

Private Link for secure service access creates a private endpoint in your virtual network subnet. This endpoint gets a private IP address. When a client VM accesses the Azure service, DNS resolves the service name to this private IP. Traffic flows through the private endpoint inside Azure's backbone network, avoiding the public internet. This setup secures your service access by keeping data private and protected within Azure's infrastructure.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of using Azure Private Link for service access?

easy

A. It allows secure access to Azure services using private IP addresses within your virtual network.

B. It provides public internet access to Azure services with encryption.

C. It automatically scales Azure services based on traffic.

D. It creates a VPN connection between on-premises and Azure.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Private Link purpose

   Private Link connects Azure services privately using private IPs inside your virtual network.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only It allows secure access to Azure services using private IP addresses within your virtual network. describes private, secure access using private IPs. Others describe different features.

3. Final Answer:

   It allows secure access to Azure services using private IP addresses within your virtual network. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Private Link = Private IP secure access [OK]

Hint: Private Link means private IP inside your network [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Private Link with VPN or public internet access
• Thinking Private Link automatically scales services
• Assuming Private Link creates a VPN

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

easy

A. az storage account create --name MyPE --resource-group MyRG --location eastus

B. az network vnet create --name MyPE --resource-group MyRG --subnet MySubnet

C. az network private-endpoint create --name MyPE --resource-group MyRG --vnet-name MyVNet --subnet MySubnet --private-connection-resource-id /subscriptions/xxx/resourceGroups/xxx/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/mystorage --group-ids blob

D. az network private-link create --name MyPE --resource-group MyRG

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Private Endpoint creation command

   The correct Azure CLI command to create a Private Endpoint is az network private-endpoint create with required parameters.

2. Step 2: Verify parameters

   az network private-endpoint create --name MyPE --resource-group MyRG --vnet-name MyVNet --subnet MySubnet --private-connection-resource-id /subscriptions/xxx/resourceGroups/xxx/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/mystorage --group-ids blob uses correct command and parameters including resource ID and group IDs for the service.

3. Final Answer:

   az network private-endpoint create with proper parameters -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Private Endpoint creation uses az network private-endpoint create [OK]

Hint: Private Endpoint uses 'az network private-endpoint create' command [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using vnet create instead of private-endpoint create
• Confusing storage account creation with Private Endpoint
• Using non-existent 'private-link create' command

3. Given this Azure CLI command output snippet for a Private Endpoint:

{
  "privateLinkServiceConnections": [
    {
      "name": "connection1",
      "privateLinkServiceId": "/subscriptions/abc/resourceGroups/rg1/providers/Microsoft.Network/privateLinkServices/pls1",
      "status": "Approved"
    }
  ]
}

What does the status "Approved" indicate?

medium

A. The Private Endpoint connection request is pending approval.

B. The Private Endpoint is deleted.

C. The Private Endpoint connection request was rejected.

D. The Private Endpoint connection request has been accepted and is active.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand status field meaning

   The status "Approved" means the connection request was accepted and is active.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other options

   "Pending" means waiting, "Rejected" means denied, "Deleted" means removed. Only "Approved" means active connection.

3. Final Answer:

   The Private Endpoint connection request has been accepted and is active. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Status Approved = Active connection [OK]

Hint: Approved status means connection is active [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Approved with Pending or Rejected
• Assuming Approved means deleted or inactive
• Ignoring the status field meaning

4. You created a Private Endpoint but cannot access the Azure Storage account privately. Which of the following is a likely misconfiguration?

medium

A. The Private Endpoint subnet does not have network policies disabled for Private Link.

B. The Storage account is in the same region as the Private Endpoint.

C. The Private Endpoint has a valid approved connection status.

D. The virtual network has enough IP addresses.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Private Endpoint subnet network policies

   For Private Link to work, the subnet must have network policies disabled to allow private IP traffic.

2. Step 2: Analyze other options

   Same region is normal, approved status is good, and enough IPs is required but less likely cause of access failure.

3. Final Answer:

   The Private Endpoint subnet does not have network policies disabled for Private Link. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Subnet network policies must be disabled for Private Link [OK]

Hint: Disable subnet network policies for Private Link [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring subnet network policies setting
• Assuming region mismatch causes access failure
• Overlooking connection status correctness

5. You want to securely connect your on-premises network to an Azure SQL Database using Private Link. Which combination of Azure components should you configure to achieve this?

hard

A. Create a Public Endpoint for Azure SQL Database and use firewall rules to restrict IPs.

B. Create a Private Endpoint for the Azure SQL Database in a virtual network, then connect your on-premises network to that virtual network via VPN or ExpressRoute.

C. Use Azure Bastion to connect to the Azure SQL Database securely.

D. Create a Virtual Network Gateway and connect directly to the Azure SQL Database without Private Endpoint.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Private Link for on-premises access

   Private Link requires a Private Endpoint in a virtual network to provide private IP access to Azure SQL Database.

2. Step 2: Connect on-premises to Azure VNet

   To access the Private Endpoint from on-premises, you must connect your on-premises network to the Azure virtual network using VPN or ExpressRoute.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Public Endpoint with firewall is less secure, Azure Bastion is for VM access, and Virtual Network Gateway alone doesn't provide Private Link.

4. Final Answer:

   Create a Private Endpoint for the Azure SQL Database in a virtual network, then connect your on-premises network to that virtual network via VPN or ExpressRoute. -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Private Endpoint + VPN/ExpressRoute = Secure on-premises access [OK]

Hint: Private Endpoint plus VPN/ExpressRoute connects on-premises securely [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using public endpoints instead of Private Link for security
• Confusing Azure Bastion with Private Link usage
• Assuming Virtual Network Gateway alone provides Private Link