Microsoft release unlimited data and premium add-on for ExpressRoute

Summary

This blog post, "Microsoft release unlimited data and premium add-on for ExpressRoute", is a blueAPACHE article from 2015 covering security. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that there would be two data plans for ExpressRoute service connections. In addition to metered plans, unlimited data plans are now available – enabling clients to select a plan based on their usage and their needs. It is written for readers evaluating emPOWER Core Network & DC Interconnect, emPOWER Cloud. The underlying security practice it describes, reducing attack surface and improving detection and response, is not tied to a specific product version and remains relevant to any organisation managing cyber risk today.

Key facts

Article

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that there would be two data plans for ExpressRoute service connections. In addition to metered plans, unlimited data plans are now available – enabling clients to select a plan based on their usage and their needs. Microsoft ExpressRoute is a private network connection from your business sites directly into Microsoft’s Cloud Services, including Azure Public Cloud and Office365. This not only eliminates the need for users to traverse the internet, it also:

• Improves privacy and reliability to Microsoft Cloud Services;
• Reduces bandwidth usage (and associated fees);
• Simplifies charging mechanisms of Microsoft Cloud Services; and
• Provides a network performance guarantee over internet-based VPNs.

The new unlimited data plan allows you to transfer an unlimited amount of data for a fixed monthly charge, and the metered plan is available for a small monthly connection fee with pay-as-you-go charges. ExpressRoute Premium is an add-on over the unlimited and metered data plans. It provides:

• Increased route limits for public and private peering from 4,000 routes to 10,000 routes.
• Global connectivity for services. An ExpressRoute circuit created in any region (excluding China and government cloud) will have access to resources across any other region in the world. For example, a virtual network created in West Europe can be accessed through an ExpressRoute circuit provisioned in Sydney.
• Increased number of VNet links per ExpressRoute circuit from 10 to a larger limit (depending on the bandwidth of the circuit).

As one of the first service providers in Australia to offer ExpressRoute connections directly into the Microsoft Cloud Services network, blueAPACHE can deliver both unlimited and metered plans, as well as the ExpressRoute Premium add-on. For more information on Microsoft ExpressRoute, click here. To better understand how your business will benefit from improved security, increased productivity, simplified billing and reduced network costs with ExpressRoute from blueAPACHE, contact our Network team.

Related

• emPOWER Microsoft Practice (pillar hub)
• emPOWER Core Network & DC Interconnect
• emPOWER Connectivity (pillar hub)
• emPOWER Cloud
• emPOWER Cloud (pillar hub)

Frequently asked questions

What two data plan types did Microsoft announce for ExpressRoute connections, per this article?

Metered plans and, newly, unlimited data plans, allowing clients to choose based on their usage and needs.

What Microsoft cloud services does ExpressRoute connect directly into, according to the article?

Microsoft's Cloud Services, including Azure Public Cloud and Office 365, via a private network connection from business sites.

By how much does ExpressRoute Premium increase route limits for public and private peering, per this article?

From 4,000 routes to 10,000 routes.

What global connectivity benefit does ExpressRoute Premium provide, according to the article?

An ExpressRoute circuit created in any region (excluding China and government cloud) gains access to resources across any other region in the world, for example a virtual network in West Europe accessible via a circuit provisioned in Sydney.

How does the article describe the increase in VNet links per ExpressRoute circuit under the Premium add-on?

An increase from 10 VNet links to a larger limit, depending on the bandwidth of the circuit.

What four benefits does the article say ExpressRoute provides over standard internet connections?

Improved privacy and reliability to Microsoft Cloud Services, reduced bandwidth usage and associated fees, simplified charging mechanisms, and a network performance guarantee over internet-based VPNs.

What claim does blueAPACHE make about its position in the Australian ExpressRoute market, per this article?

That it was one of the first service providers in Australia to offer ExpressRoute connections directly into the Microsoft Cloud Services network.

What pricing structure does the article describe for the metered ExpressRoute plan?

A small monthly connection fee with pay-as-you-go charges, compared with the unlimited plan's fixed monthly charge for unlimited data transfer.

Source

• origin post (2015)

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