Azure Virtual Network Manager | A Comprehensive Guide

Today’s cloud first world requires organizations using Microsoft Azure to do so efficiently and securely, managing network resources. Azure Virtual Network Manager (AVNM) is a centralized management tool for Azure Virtual network (VNet) management across subscriptions for fast deployment and a streamlined management process for Virtual Network (VNet). In this guide we look at what Azure Virtual Network Manager offers in terms of features, benefits, use cases and learning about how to implement it.

What is Azure Virtual Network Manager?

Azure Virtual Network Manager is a scalable and centralized management solution which helps enterprises simplify and automate network task management across the subscriptions and regions. This AVNM offers command line utilities, like tools to create and manage network groups, set up connectivity rules, and enforce security policies, all from topdown, and at scale.

Key Features

1. Centralized Network Management: Allows management of VNets across multiple subscriptions and regions from a single pane of glass.
2. Network Grouping: You organize VNets into logical groupings to make VNets easier to manage.
3. Connectivity Configuration: VNet Peering and Routing between regions and subscriptions.
4. Security Rules Enforcement: Use consistency in controlling the security of your network.
5. Dynamic Updates: It automatically adapts to changes in your environment for example: new VNets or new subscriptions.
6. Insights and Monitoring: Get complete visibility into your network with monitoring and diagnostics included.

Benefits of Azure Virtual Network Manager

1. Simplified Operations

AVNM simplifies the management of complex Azure networks in large scale by centralising operations and automating routine operation tasks.

2. Enhanced Security

AVNM applies consistent security policies across VNets, and helps reduce the risk of misconfigurations and help us meet organizational standards.

3. Cost Efficiency

This offers the opportunity to streamline connectivity and optimise resource use, whilst significantly reducing operational costs.

4. Improved Scalability

AVNM will scale with your Azure environment, and is a great pick for organizations with growing cloud footprints.

Use Cases

1. Multi-Subscription Management

AVNM allows you to apply unified connectivity and security rules to all resources that live in organizations with multiple Azure subscriptions.

2. Global Network Architecture

AVNM guarantees that businesses connecting between multiple regions have seamless connectivity and unified policies.

3. Dev/Test Environment management

By largely eliminating the need for management of multiple Dev/Test and assigning them to AVNM, you avoid unintended workloads impacting production workloads.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Grouping down threat vectors into just a few security rules and policies helps organizations to meet regulatory and compliance requirements.

How to Get Started with Azure Virtual Network Manager

Step 1: Enable AVNM in Azure

• Navigate to the Azure portal.
• Go to the search bar, type “Azure Virtual Network Manager” and hit Enter.
• Provide name and region and create a new Virtual Network Manager instance.

Step 2: Define Network Groups

• In the AVNM use case, create network groups based on the need of your organization (e.g., production, dev/test, etc. groups).
• Use subscription and region filters to add VNets to these groups.

Step 3: Configure Connectivity Rules

• You can use connectivity configuration option to connect virtual networks on hub and spoke topology or VNet to VNet.
• Preferences are defined regarding routing and traffic flow for best performance.

Step 4: Apply Security Policies

• Security Admin Rules can be configured to set up security policies and fragment traffic.
• Additionally, you can integrate with Azure Firewall, or Network Security Groups (NSGs) for advanced security.

Step 5: Monitor and Maintain

• Get real-time visibility with Azure Monitor and built-in AVNM Insights.
• Update policies looking at configurations periodically, as needed.

Best Practices

1. Plan Your Network Architecture: Before implementing AVNM you need to clearly define your network requirements and grouping strategy.
2. Leverage Tags: You can simplify identifying and managing your resources using Azure tags.
3. Automate Where Possible: Deploy your application on ARM templates or Hoa with Terraform to have a consistent deployment.
4. Regularly Review Security Policies: Keep your policies current to business and security needs as they change.
5. Monitor Performance: Maintain a continuous watch over the network performance and resolve bottlenecks without delay.

Limitations and Considerations

1. As of today, AVNM is only supported for Azure VNets, not hybrid networks.
2. Make sure that your Azure region supports AVNM features.
3. For that, the IAM (Identity and Access Management) configurations must be proper, otherwise unauthorized changes to the database will take place.

Conclusion

Azure Virtual Network Manager is a sturdy tool for those who need to manage networks and follow similar security across their different Azure environments. AVNM offers businesses with scalable, secure, and efficient cloud networks through its centralized management capabilities, and automation features. With a mix of steps and best practices in this guide you can leverage the benefits of AVNM and have a robust Azure networking strategy.

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