Azure Bastion is a secure and fully integrated RDP and SSH access service through the Azure Portal. Instead of traditional methods, with Azure Bastion you can access all your Azure VMs through a private network, thus blocking public internet access to your virtual machines and greatly increasing your security posture.
Advantages of Azure Bastion
Some of the key benefits of Azure Bastion are listed below:
- SecurityAzure Bastion provides all connections privately and securely over the Azure network. It uses a built-in SSL connection that does not require any extra software or configuration.
- Integration: Azure Bastion is fully integrated with the Azure Portal, meaning users can securely access it directly from their browser without having to install any additional tools or applications.
- Scalability and Maintenance: Azure Bastion service is automatically scalable and managed by Azure. This allows businesses to focus less on their own scalability and maintenance needs and more on other tasks that need to be accomplished.
- AccessibilityAzure Bastion provides RDP and SSH access and is supported by all operating systems. This allows users to access Azure virtual machines from a wide range of devices and platforms.
How Does Azure Bastion Work?
The Azure Bastion service is positioned as a 'Bastion host' within an Azure Virtual Network (VNet) and all incoming traffic is routed through this private gateway in Azure. This allows your virtual machines to be accessible over a completely private network without being directly exposed to the internet.
When you connect to a VM using Azure Bastion, you first select your VM in the Azure Portal and click 'Connect'. Next, you select the 'Bastion' tab and enter your SSH or RDP connection information. Once you enter your information, a new browser window or tab opens and this securely connects to your Azure virtual machine.
Conclusion
As a result, Azure Bastion provides the ability to securely and privately access Azure Virtual Machines. Fully integrated into the Azure Portal, this service allows users to access their VMs without the need to install any additional software or agents, and without the VMs being directly exposed to the internet. This greatly improves the security posture of businesses while also easing their maintenance and management burdens.
