Can we use Azure as a Cloud VPN?

Question

As a non-profit, we have been given an annual amount of Azure services we can use. We've not been able to use this in part because we can't find a way to ask questions of the Azure team.

Background: We are looking to use Azure VPN or we will have to go outside to a company such as [jaguarpc.com ]

1. Could we install anydesk on Azure?

2. Can we use the service for Remote Desktop and open Remote Desktop Client?
3. How do we give the VAR access to the backend to set up the application? They would only be using the service for setup and maintenance.
4. The bigger question is, can Azure be used as a VPN? Our primary use would be for our CRM application we own and is currently hosted on our local server.

If anyone from Azure is reading this. WHAT A TERRIBLE ticketing system. I can't find what dropdown item to select to get an answer. The people at O365 could not figure out what to do either.
I did read this thread https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/366307/can-we-use-azure-vpn-to-replace-our-on-premise-vpn yet I'm still not sure if this is the same as above.

Answer 1

Hi

Going to try and answer these as best I can:

1 - Yes you can, but my question is what are you using it for? Remote connectivity into a VM? You "can" use direct RDP connectivity to any Azure VM that is assigned a Public IP address, but would be safer to use Bastion instead:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/

2 - Azure Virtual Desktop would provide an RDP experience for users via either Pooled (multiple users on a single VM) or Personal (dedicated VM for each user) desktops:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/overview

3 - What service are you trying to set up?

4 - You could use Point-to-Site VPN's setup on each users device to terminate in an Azure Network that is then connected via a Site-to-Site VPN back to your company CRM solution. You then lock down your networks to only allow access across the VPN to the CRM system:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/vpn-gateway/point-to-site-about

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/vpn-gateway/tutorial-site-to-site-portal

Alternatively, the Azure Virtual Desktop solution mentioned above will also help as you would only require the S2S VPN in that case.

Hope this helps,

Thanks

Michael Durkan

• If the reply was helpful please upvote and/or accept as answer as this helps others in the community with similar questions. Thanks!