Top 10 Networking Features in Windows Server 2019: #3 Azure Network Adapter

[Server Man]

This blog is part of a series for the Top 10 Networking Features in Windows Server 2019!
-- Click HERE to see the other blogs in this series.

Look for the Try it out sections then give us some feedback in the comments!
Don't forget to tune in next week for the next feature in our Top 10 list!

More and more on-premises workloads require connectivity to Azure resources. Connecting these on-premises workloads to their Azure resources traditionally requires an Express Route, Site-to-Site VPN, or Point-to-Site VPN connection. Each of these options require multiple steps and expertise in both networking and certificate management, and in some cases, infrastructure setup and maintenance.

Now, Windows Admin Center enables a one-click experience to configure a point-to-site VPN connection between an on-premises Windows Server and an Azure Virtual Network. This automates the configuration for the Azure Virtual Network gateway as well as the on-premises VPN client.

Windows Admin Center and the Azure Network Adapter makes connecting your on-premises servers to Azure a breeze!

Windows Admin Center


This feature relies on the Windows Admin Center which is an evolution of Windows Server in-box management tools; it’s a single pane of glass that consolidates all aspects of local and remote server management. It comes at no additional cost beyond Windows and is ready to use in production.

Once Windows Admin Center is configured, you are ready to start.

Azure Network Adapter


The Azure Network Adapter is a new part of the Network extension inside Windows Admin Center which allows you to easily setup a Point-to-Site VPN connection to Azure.

Note: Point-to-Site connections do not require a VPN device or a public-facing IP address.
For more information about Point-to-Site VPN, see About Point-to-Site VPN.​

Now let’s walk through the experience of adding an Azure Network Adapter to your on-premises Windows Server. You will be able to find the button +Add Azure Network Adapter on the Network extension in Windows Admin Center.



Once you click +Add Azure Network Adapter the Add Azure Network Adapter wizard will appear on the right pane.

When you select any existing Azure Virtual Network, you will find all the values are already automatically filled-in and the Create button is ready for you to click. You can modify the default options selected by the wizard, or just click the Create button to accept the defaults and trigger the Point-to-site VPN connection to Azure.





That’s it! After a few minutes you will see the newly created point-to-site VPN connection available in the inventory page. Here is a short animation to show you the steps!

Note: The creation could take much longer (~25 minutes) if the Azure Virtual Network
gateway needs to be created.​

Use and Validate Azure Network Adapter


Once your Point-to-site VPN is “Connected” your server now has a connection to the Azure Virtual Network. The server will be able to communicate to any Azure resources in the Virtual Network.

Here’s a simple example of a ICMP Ping validation between one on-premises server and an Azure VM connected through the Azure Network Adapter.




Ready to give it a shot!? Try out Azure Network Adapter in the Windows Admin Center Version 1809!
Note: Windows Admin Center Version 1809 will be released in September.

Previously creating hybrid cloud connectivity required expertise in networking, certificate management, and even infrastructure setup and maintenance. Now with the Azure Network Adapter in Windows Admin Center (version 1809), hybrid connectivity can be configured with the click of a button! The Azure Network Adapter automates the configuration of the Azure Virtual Network gateway and VPN client installation for you!

Thanks for reading,

Schumann Ge

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