This can be accomplished using either Static Routes configuration or Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), serving as key network elements of the exam “AZ-600 Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub”.
Static Routes Configuration
A static route, as the name suggests, is a manually configured route in the routing table maintained by a network router. This effectively dictates the path that must be taken by a packet when moving from one network to another. This is particularly useful in scenarios where there are only one or two potential paths to a destination, thus limiting the need for dynamic routing.
In Azure Stack Hub, you can use PowerShell to add a default static route.
$connectionName = “myConnection”
$localGatewayName = “myLocalGateway”
$localGateway = Get-AzLocalNetworkGateway -Name $localGatewayName -ResourceGroupName $ResourceGroupName
$gateway = Get-AzVirtualNetworkGateway -Name $virtualNetworkGateway1 -ResourceGroupName $ResourceGroupName
Set-AzVirtualNetworkGatewayDefaultSite -VirtualNetworkGateway $gateway -LocalNetworkGateway $localGateway
This script sets the ‘`myLocalGateway`’ as the default route for the virtual network gateway.
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Configuration
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), on the other hand, is a standardized exterior gateway protocol designed to exchange routing and reachability information among autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet. BGP has the capability of maintaining and propagating a database of network reachability information, which it exchanges with all its BGP peers.
In Azure Stack Hub, if you have BGP enabled VPN connections, you can use PowerShell to retrieve BGP peer IP addresses.
$gatewayname = “myVirtualNetworkGateway”
$connectionname = “myConnection”
$connection = Get-AzVirtualNetworkGatewayConnection -Name $connectionname -ResourceGroupName $ResourceGroupName
$sharedKey = $connection.SharedKey
$localGatewayBgpPeeringAddress = $connection.LocalNetworkGateway.BgpSettings.Text
This script retrieves the BGP peer address for the connection ‘`myConnection`’.
Comparison
When comparing the two, static routes are easier to configure but require manual intervention for any changes in the network topology. Whereas, BGP can dynamically adjust to changes in network topology but requires more configuration effort initially.
Static Routes | Border Gateway Protocol | |
---|---|---|
Configuration Effort | Low | High |
Adjustment to Changes | Manual | Automatic |
Scalability | Limited | Highly scalable |
Therefore, the choice between static routes and BGP will be highly dependent on the specific networking requirements of your Azure Stack Hub deployment. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of both will be vital to successfully pass the AZ-600 certification exam.
Practice Test
True or False: Static routes are used in BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) configuration to connect to the internet.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Static routes are indeed used in BGP configuration. They are simple, do not require any routing protocols, and can connect an Azure Stack Hub to the internet.
Single Select: Which type of BGP uses multiple paths to a single destination?
- A. External BGP
- B. Internal BGP
- C. Both A and B
- D. Neither A nor B
Answer: B. Internal BGP
Explanation: Internal BGP (iBGP) enables the use of multiple paths to a single destination.
True or False: Static routes require a routing protocol.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Static routes are manually configured by an administrator and do not require a routing protocol.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are true about BGP configuration?
- A. It supports only a single path to a destination.
- B. It provides a scalable solution for routing.
- C. It does not support load balancing.
- D. It provides automatic failover.
Answer: B. It provides a scalable solution for routing, D. It provides automatic failover.
Explanation: BGP provides a scalable solution for routing and supports automatic failover. It also supports load balancing and multiple paths.
True or False: In Azure Stack Hub, BGP configuration and static routing cannot be used together.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: In Azure Stack Hub, both BGP configuration and static routes can be used together for a hybrid cloud setup.
Single Select: BGP configuration in Azure Stack Hub is used to:
- A. Hide the internal network structure
- B. Load balancing
- C. Network segregation
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: BGP configuration in Azure Stack Hub is used to hide the internal network structure, for load balancing, and for network segregation.
True or False: The preferred path in BGP is chosen based on the number of Autonomous Systems (AS) that the route passes through.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The BGP protocol selects a preferred path based on the fewest number of AS paths.
Single Select: Which routing protocol is commonly used with static routing in Azure Stack Hub?
- A. OSPF
- B. BGP
- C. RIP
- D. EIGRP
Answer: B. BGP
Explanation: BGP is commonly used with static routing in Azure Stack Hub to provide robust, customizable routing configurations.
Multiple Select: Which of the following static routes is/are used in Azure Stack Hub?
- A. Default Route
- B. Static Route
- C. BGP Route
- D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: Both default and static routes are used in Azure Stack Hub.
True or False: Using BGP is mandatory to connect your Azure Stack Hub to the internet.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: BGP is not mandatory to connect Azure Stack Hub to the internet. Static routing is an alternative.
Single Select: In Azure Stack Hub, BGP configuration is done in:
- A. Azure portal
- B. PowerShell
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: BGP configuration can be done in both the Azure portal and PowerShell.
True or False: BGP only supports IPv
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: BGP supports both IPv4 and IPv6 in Azure Stack Hub.
Multiple Select: What is required in BGP configuration?
- A. AS number
- B. Peer IP address
- C. Shared key
- D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: Autonomous system (AS) number and Peer IP address are required in BGP configuration.
True or False: Static routes have a higher administrative distance than BGP by default.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Static routes have a lower administrative distance than BGP by default, making them a more preferred route.
Single Select: Type of BGP which is used between routers in different autonomous systems is:
- A. Internal BGP
- B. External BGP
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the Above
Answer: B. External BGP
Explanation: External BGP (eBGP) is used between routers in different autonomous systems.
Interview Questions
What is the primary purpose of established static routes or Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) in Azure Stack Hub?
The primary purpose is to ensure that traffic coming from on-premises networks or from peered VNets can reach the virtual networks in Azure Stack Hub through Site-to-Site VPN or ExpressRoute circuits.
What is BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)?
BGP is a standard exterior gateway protocol designed to exchange routing and reachability information among autonomous systems on the internet.
How are static routes defined in Azure Stack Hub?
Static routes in Azure Stack Hub are typically defined during the setup of a VPN gateway or ExpressRoute circuit which includes the IP address prefixes that will be used and their respective next-hop addresses.
Can you change the BGP routes once they are advertised to your local network in Azure Stack Hub?
No, you cannot change the BGP routes once they are advertised to your local network in Azure Stack Hub.
What is the primary difference between static routes and BGP?
The primary difference is that static routes are manually configured and do not change unless manually updated, whereas BGP routes are automatically learned between routers and can adjust dynamically to network changes.
What is the Autonomous System Number (ASN) in the context of BGP configuration in Azure Stack Hub?
The Autonomous System Number is a unique identifier of each network on the Internet that participates in BGP routing. In Azure Stack Hub, the ASN for BGP is 65515.
What components are required to configure BGP on Azure Stack Hub?
To configure BGP on Azure Stack Hub, you need a VPN Gateway or ExpressRoute circuit, relevant IP address range, and an autonomous system number (ASN).
Is it possible to have both BGP and static routing configured at the same time on Azure Stack Hub?
Yes, it is possible to have both BGP and static routing configured on Azure Stack Hub. However, BGP is preferred for larger, more complex networks due to its dynamic nature.
What happens if a conflict arises between RIP, Static, and BGP protocols in Azure Stack Hub?
In the event of a conflict, BGP would be given the least preference, followed by Static, and RIP would be given the highest preference.
What protocols does BGP use to establish a connection?
BGP uses TCP/IP for establishing connections and exchanging information between routers.
How does BGP improve the efficiency of routing in Azure Stack Hub?
BGP improves routing efficiency by dynamically adapting to changes in the internet’s complex topology, ensuring data packets reach their destination in the most efficient way possible.
How are routes prioritized in Azure Stack Hub when both BGP and static routes are used?
When both BGP and static routes are used, static routes are given a higher priority. If a static route isn’t found, the router will then use the routes learned through BGP.
What should be considered before configuring BGP on Azure Stack Hub?
Before configuring BGP on Azure Stack Hub, it should be considered whether it is the best solution for your network complexity, traffic amount, and redundancy requirements.
In Azure Stack Hub, is BGP supported via both IKEv1 and IKEv2 VPN tunnels?
Yes, Azure Stack Hub supports BGP over both IKEv1 and IKEv2 VPN tunnels.
What protocol does Azure VPN gateways use for dynamic routing?
Azure VPN gateways use the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) for dynamic routing.