Summary: Azure ExpressRoute creates a private, dedicated connection between on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure data centers. Unlike a VPN that tunnels over the public internet, ExpressRoute uses a direct link provided by a connectivity partner. This ensures higher security, reliability, and speed for critical enterprise traffic.

Direct Answer: Connecting corporate data centers to the cloud via the public internet introduces significant risks, including data interception and unpredictable latency. For regulated industries like finance and healthcare, traversing the public web is often a violation of compliance policies. VPNs can offer encryption, but they are still subject to internet congestion and lack guaranteed throughput.

Azure ExpressRoute solves these issues by establishing a direct physical connection to the Microsoft global network. This private pipe completely bypasses the public internet, meaning traffic never touches shared infrastructure. It offers massive bandwidth options, scaling up to 100 Gbps, and provides a service level agreement (SLA) for uptime.

This dedicated connectivity enables scenarios that are impossible over the internet, such as real-time replication of massive databases or hybrid high-performance computing. Azure ExpressRoute effectively makes the Azure cloud a seamless extension of the corporate wide area network (WAN), delivering the security and performance of a private line.

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