Azure Proactive Resiliency Library v2
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virtualNetworkGateways

Summary

RecommendationImpactCategoryAutomation AvailableIn Azure Advisor
Connect ExpressRoute gateway with circuits from diverse peering locations for resilienceHighHigh AvailabilityYesYes
Use Zone-redundant ExpressRoute gateway SKUsHighHigh AvailabilityYesYes
Configure an Azure Resource lock for ExpressRoute gateway to prevent accidental deletionMediumHigh AvailabilityNoNo
Monitor gateway health for ExpressRoute gatewaysHighMonitoring and AlertingNoNo
Avoid using ExpressRoute circuits for VNet to VNet communicationMediumHigh AvailabilityNoNo
Configure customer-controlled ExpressRoute gateway maintenanceHighHigh AvailabilityYesNo
Choose a Zone-redundant VPN gatewayHighHigh AvailabilityYesNo
Enable Active-Active VPN Gateways for redundancyMediumHigh AvailabilityYesYes
Deploy active-active VPN concentrators on your premises for maximum resiliency with VPN gatewaysHighDisaster RecoveryNoNo
Monitor VPN gateway connections and healthHighMonitoring and AlertingNoNo
Enable VPN gateway service healthHighMonitoring and AlertingNoNo
Deploy zone-redundant VPN gateways with zone-redundant Public IP(s)HighHigh AvailabilityYesNo

Details


Connect ExpressRoute gateway with circuits from diverse peering locations for resilience

Impact:  High Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  d37db635-157f-584d-9bce-4f6fc8c65ce5

Description:

To increase reliability, it's advised that each ExpressRoute gateway connects to at least two circuits, with each circuit originating from a different peering location than the other, ensuring diverse connectivity paths for enhanced resilience.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced resiliency for Azure service
Learn More:
Designing for disaster recovery with ExpressRoute private peering

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// Azure Resource Graph Query
// Provides a list of ExpressRoute Gateways that are not connected to two or more ExpressRoute Circuits. Baremetal circuits are excluded from consideration
//This query assumes that the running entity has visibilty to the gateway, connection, and circuit scopes.
//Start with a full list of gateways
(resources
| where type == "microsoft.network/virtualnetworkgateways"
| where properties.gatewayType == "ExpressRoute"
| extend exrGatewayId = tolower(tostring(id))
| join kind=inner(
resources
| where type == "microsoft.network/virtualnetworkgateways"
| where properties.gatewayType == "ExpressRoute"
| extend exrGatewayId = tolower(tostring(id))
| join kind=leftouter(
//connections joined with circuit peer info
resources
| where type == "microsoft.network/connections"
| extend connectionType = properties.connectionType
| extend exrGatewayId = tolower(tostring(properties.virtualNetworkGateway1.id))
| extend peerId = tolower(tostring(properties.peer.id))
| extend connectionId = tolower(tostring(id))
| where connectionType == "ExpressRoute"
| join kind=leftouter(
  resources
  | where type == "microsoft.network/expressroutecircuits"
    //should this be location instead of peeringLocation
  | extend circuitId = tolower(tostring(id))
  | extend peeringLocation = tostring(properties.serviceProviderProperties.peeringLocation)
  | extend peerId = tolower(id)
) on peerId ) on exrGatewayId
//remove bare metal services connections/circuits
| where not(isnotnull(connectionId) and isnull(sku1))
//group by gateway ID's and peering locations
| summarize by exrGatewayId, peeringLocation
//summarize to connections with fewer than two unique connections
| summarize connCount = count() by exrGatewayId
| where connCount < 2) on exrGatewayId
| project recommendationId = "d37db635-157f-584d-9bce-4f6fc8c65ce5", name, id, tags, param1 = "twoOrMoreCircuitsConnectedFromDifferentPeeringLocations: false")
| union
(
resources
| where type == "microsoft.network/virtualnetworkgateways"
| where properties.gatewayType == "ExpressRoute"
| extend exrGatewayId = tolower(tostring(id))
| join kind=leftouter(
//connections joined with circuit peer info
resources
| where type == "microsoft.network/connections"
| extend connectionType = properties.connectionType
| extend exrGatewayId = tolower(tostring(properties.virtualNetworkGateway1.id))
| extend peerId = tolower(tostring(properties.peer.id))
| extend connectionId = tolower(tostring(id))
| where connectionType == "ExpressRoute") on exrGatewayId
| where isnull(connectionType)
| project recommendationId = "d37db635-157f-584d-9bce-4f6fc8c65ce5", name, id, tags, param1 = "twoOrMoreCircuitsConnectedFromDifferentPeeringLocations: false", param2 = "noConnectionsOnGateway: true"
)



Use Zone-redundant ExpressRoute gateway SKUs

Impact:  High Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  bbe668b7-eb5c-c746-8b82-70afdedf0cae

Description:

Azure ExpressRoute gateway offers variable SLAs based on deployment in single or multiple availability zones. To deploy virtual network gateways across zones automatically, use zone-redundant gateways for accessing critical, scalable services with increased resilience.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced SLA and resilience
Learn More:
About ExpressRoute virtual network gateways - Zone-redundant gateway SKUs
About zone-redundant virtual network gateway in Azure availability zones
Create a zone-redundant virtual network gateway in Azure Availability Zones

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// Azure Resource Graph Query
// For all VNGs of type ExpressRoute, show all that are not zone redundant (Zonal or Regional)
advisorresources
| where properties.recommendationTypeId == 'c9af1ef6-55bc-48af-bfe4-2c80490159f8' // RecommendationID from Advisor
| mv-expand resId = properties.resourceMetadata.resourceId
| extend resId = tostring(resId)
| project recId = properties.recommendationTypeId, resId
| join kind=leftouter (
    resources
    | extend id = tostring(id)
    | project id, name, tags, location, properties
) on $left.resId == $right.id
| project recommendationId = "bbe668b7-eb5c-c746-8b82-70afdedf0cae", name , resId, tags, param1 = strcat("sku-tier: ", properties.sku.tier), param2 = location,param3 = "Non Zone-Redundant GW"


Configure an Azure Resource lock for ExpressRoute gateway to prevent accidental deletion

Impact:  Medium Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  c0f23a92-d322-4d4d-97e9-a238b5e3bbb8

Description:

Configuring an Azure Resource lock for ExpressRoute gateway prevents accidental deletion by enabling administrators to lock an Azure subscription, resource group, or resource, thereby protecting them from unintended user deletions and modifications, with the lock overriding all user permissions.

Potential Benefits:

Prevents accidental deletions
Learn More:
Protect your Azure resources with a lock - Azure Resource Manager | Microsoft Learn

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// under-development



Monitor gateway health for ExpressRoute gateways

Impact:  High Category:  Monitoring and Alerting

APRL GUID:  1c34faa8-8b99-974c-adbf-71922eae943c

Description:

Use Network Insights for monitoring ExpressRoute Gateway's health, including availability, performance, and scalability.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced monitoring and alerting
Learn More:
ExpressRoute monitoring, metrics, and alerts | ExpressRoute gateways
Azure ExpressRoute Insights using Network Insights

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// under-development




Avoid using ExpressRoute circuits for VNet to VNet communication

Impact:  Medium Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  194c14ac-0d7a-5a48-ae32-75fa450ee564

Description:

While multiple VNets can connect via the same ExpressRoute gateway, Microsoft recommends using alternatives like VNet peering, Azure Firewall, NVA, Azure Route Server, site-to-site VPN, virtual WAN, or SD-WAN for VNet-to-VNet communication to optimize network performance and management.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced VNet integration efficiency
Learn More:
About ExpressRoute virtual network gateways - VNet-to-VNet connectivity

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// under-development



Configure customer-controlled ExpressRoute gateway maintenance

Impact:  High Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  3e115044-a3aa-433e-be01-ce17d67e50da

Description:

ExpressRoute gateways are updated for improved functionality, reliability, performance, and security. Customer-controlled maintenance configuration and scheduling minimize update impact and align with your maintenance windows.

Potential Benefits:

Minimizes update impact
Learn More:
Configure customer-controlled maintenance for your virtual network gateway - ExpressRoute | Microsoft Learn

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// Azure Resource Graph Query
// Find all Virtual Network Gateways without Maintenance Configurations

resources
| where type =~ "Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworkGateways"
| extend resourceId = tolower(id)
| join kind=leftouter  (
    maintenanceresources
    | where type =~ "Microsoft.Maintenance/configurationAssignments"
    | project JsonData = parse_json(properties)
    | extend maintenanceConfigurationId = tolower(tostring(JsonData.maintenanceConfigurationId))
    | join kind=inner (
        resources
        | where type =~ "Microsoft.Maintenance/maintenanceConfigurations"
        | project maintenanceConfigurationId=tolower(id)
    ) on maintenanceConfigurationId
    | project maintenanceConfigurationId, resourceId=tolower(tostring(JsonData.resourceId))
) on resourceId
| where isempty(maintenanceConfigurationId)
| project recommendationId = "3e115044-a3aa-433e-be01-ce17d67e50da", name, id, tags, param1= strcat("sku-tier: " , properties.sku.tier), param2=location



Choose a Zone-redundant VPN gateway

Impact:  High Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  5b1933a6-90e4-f642-a01f-e58594e5aab2

Description:

Azure VPN gateway offers variable SLAs based on deployment in one or two availability zones. Deploying zone-redundant virtual network gateways across availability zones ensures zone-resiliency, improving access to mission-critical, scalable services on Azure.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced reliability and scalability
Learn More:
Zone redundant Virtual network gateway in availability zone
Gateway SKU
SLA summary for Azure services

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// Azure Resource Graph Query
// For all VNGs of type Vpn, show any that do not have AZ in the SKU tier
resources
| where type =~ "Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworkGateways"
| where location in~ ("australiaeast", "brazilsouth", "canadacentral", "centralindia", "centralus", "eastasia", "eastus", "eastus2", "francecentral", "germanywestcentral", "israelcentral", "italynorth", "japaneast", "japanwest", "koreacentral", "mexicocentral", "newzealandnorth", "northeurope", "norwayeast", "polandcentral", "qatarcentral", "southafricanorth", "southcentralus", "southeastasia", "spaincentral", "swedencentral", "switzerlandnorth", "uaenorth", "uksouth", "westeurope", "westus2", "westus3", "usgovvirginia", "chinanorth3")
| where properties.gatewayType == "Vpn"
| where properties.sku.tier !contains 'AZ'
| project recommendationId = "5b1933a6-90e4-f642-a01f-e58594e5aab2", name, id, tags, param1= strcat("sku-tier: " , properties.sku.tier), param2=location
| order by id asc



Enable Active-Active VPN Gateways for redundancy

Impact:  Medium Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  281a2713-c0e0-3c48-b596-19f590c46671

Description:

The active-active mode is available for all SKUs except Basic, allowing for two Gateway IP configurations and two public IP addresses, enhancing redundancy and traffic handling.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced reliability and network capacity
Learn More:
Active-active VPN gateway
Gateway SKU

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// Azure Resource Graph Query
// Identifies non-active-active VPN type virtual network gateways
resources
| where type =~ 'Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworkGateways'
| where properties.gatewayType =~ "vpn"
| extend gatewayType = properties.gatewayType, vpnType = properties.vpnType, connections = properties.connections, activeactive=properties.activeActive
| where activeactive == false
| project recommendationId = "281a2713-c0e0-3c48-b596-19f590c46671", name, id, tags




Deploy active-active VPN concentrators on your premises for maximum resiliency with VPN gateways

Impact:  High Category:  Disaster Recovery

APRL GUID:  af11fc4c-c06c-4f4c-b98d-6eee6d5c4c70

Description:

Deploying active-active VPN concentrators and Azure VPN Gateways maximizes resilience and availability using a fully-meshed topology with four IPSec tunnels.

Potential Benefits:

Maximizes resilience and availability
Learn More:
Dual-redundancy active-active VPN gateways for both Azure and on-premises networks

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// under-development




Monitor VPN gateway connections and health

Impact:  High Category:  Monitoring and Alerting

APRL GUID:  9eab120e-f6d3-ee49-ba0d-766562ce7df1

Description:

Set up monitoring and alerts for Virtual Network Gateway health to utilize a variety of metrics for ensuring operational efficiency and prompt response to any disruptions.

Potential Benefits:

Improved uptime and issue awareness
Learn More:
VPN gateway data reference

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// under-development



Enable VPN gateway service health

Impact:  High Category:  Monitoring and Alerting

APRL GUID:  9186dae0-7ddc-8f4b-bea5-55538cea4893

Description:

VPN gateway leverages service health to inform users about both planned and unplanned maintenance, ensuring they are notified about modifications to their VPN connectivity.

Potential Benefits:

Improves VPN maintenance alerts
Learn More:
Getting started with Azure Metrics Explorer
Monitor VPN gateway

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// under-development




Deploy zone-redundant VPN gateways with zone-redundant Public IP(s)

Impact:  High Category:  High Availability

APRL GUID:  4bae5a28-5cf4-40d9-bcf1-623d28f6d917

Description:

For zone-redundant VPN gateways, always use zone-redundant Standard SKU public IPs to avoid deploying all instances in one zone. This ensures the gateway's reliability, applying to both active-passive (single IP) and active-active (dual IP) setups.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced reliability and disaster recovery
Learn More:
About zone-redundant virtual network gateway in Azure availability zones

ARG Query:

Click the Azure Resource Graph tab to view the query

// Azure Resource Graph Query
// Provides a list of zone-redundant Azure VPN gateways associated with non-zone-redundant Public IPs
resources
| where type =~ "Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworkGateways"
| where location in~ ("australiaeast", "brazilsouth", "canadacentral", "centralindia", "centralus", "eastasia", "eastus", "eastus2", "francecentral", "germanywestcentral", "israelcentral", "italynorth", "japaneast", "japanwest", "koreacentral", "mexicocentral", "newzealandnorth", "northeurope", "norwayeast", "polandcentral", "qatarcentral", "southafricanorth", "southcentralus", "southeastasia", "spaincentral", "swedencentral", "switzerlandnorth", "uaenorth", "uksouth", "westeurope", "westus2", "westus3", "usgovvirginia", "chinanorth3")
| where properties.gatewayType == "Vpn"
| where properties.sku.tier contains 'AZ'
| mv-expand ipconfig = properties.ipConfigurations
| extend pipId = tostring(ipconfig.properties.publicIPAddress.id)
| join kind=inner (
    resources
    | where location in~ ("australiaeast", "brazilsouth", "canadacentral", "centralindia", "centralus", "eastasia", "eastus", "eastus2", "francecentral", "germanywestcentral", "israelcentral", "italynorth", "japaneast", "japanwest", "koreacentral", "mexicocentral", "newzealandnorth", "northeurope", "norwayeast", "polandcentral", "qatarcentral", "southafricanorth", "southcentralus", "southeastasia", "spaincentral", "swedencentral", "switzerlandnorth", "uaenorth", "uksouth", "westeurope", "westus2", "westus3", "usgovvirginia", "chinanorth3")
    | where type == "microsoft.network/publicipaddresses"
    | where isnull(zones) or array_length(zones) < 3   )
    on $left.pipId == $right.id
| project recommendationId = "4bae5a28-5cf4-40d9-bcf1-623d28f6d917", name, id, tags, param1 = strcat("PublicIpAddressName: ", name1), param2 = strcat ("PublicIpAddressId: ",id1), param3 = strcat ("PublicIpAddressTags: ",tags1)