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ExpressRoute advanced features Now that we have covered the core setup and configuration of ExpressRoute, we will focus on advanced capabilities that help organizations optimize, extend, and enhance private connectivity. This lesson covers how to interconnect ExpressRoute circuits across regions, when doing so makes sense, and how to improve performance for latency-sensitive workloads. You will learn about Azure ExpressRoute Global Reach — a solution that interconnects separate ExpressRoute circuits to create a private, global network — and when to use it (for example, multinational enterprises, regulatory segmentation, or to provide resilience and optimized paths for global applications). We also introduce ExpressRoute FastPath, a feature that shortens the datapath between on-premises networks and Azure virtual machines to reduce latency and increase throughput for demanding workloads.
A presentation slide titled "Learning Objectives" that lists four points about Azure ExpressRoute: linking circuits across regions, use cases for ExpressRoute Global Reach, configuring Global Reach, and how ExpressRoute FastPath improves network performance.
ExpressRoute FastPath is an optimization that provides a more direct data path for traffic between your on-premises network and virtual machines in an Azure virtual network connected via ExpressRoute. By bypassing portions of the virtual network gateway datapath, FastPath can lower end-to-end latency and improve throughput — particularly valuable for data-intensive scenarios such as SAP, large database migrations, analytics pipelines, and real-time applications.
FastPath requires a supported ExpressRoute gateway SKU and specific configuration. Review the Azure ExpressRoute FastPath documentation for prerequisites and supported scenarios: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-fastpath
By the end of this lesson, you will understand:
  • How ExpressRoute Global Reach interconnects multiple circuits to form a private WAN across regions.
  • Typical use cases and scenarios where linking circuits is beneficial.
  • The steps and prerequisites to enable and configure Global Reach.
  • How ExpressRoute FastPath can be combined with Global Reach for resilient, low-latency private connectivity.
Key concepts and differences
FeaturePurposeBenefitsWhen to use
ExpressRoute Global ReachConnects two or more ExpressRoute circuits to create a private global fabricPrivate cross-region connectivity, simplified routing between on-premises sites, improved resilienceMultinational networks, data sovereignty boundaries, centralized service hubs
ExpressRoute FastPathOptimizes the data path between on-premises networks and Azure VMs by reducing gateway processingLower latency, higher throughput for large/real-time workloadsSAP, high-throughput DB replication, analytics, real-time voice/video
Recommended learning path (what we will cover)
  • Review prerequisites: supported gateway SKUs, circuit provisioning, and peering types.
  • Configure and link ExpressRoute circuits using Global Reach.
  • Verify connectivity and routing across linked circuits.
  • Enable FastPath where supported and validate the performance improvements.
  • Consider design patterns combining Global Reach and FastPath for resilience and optimal traffic paths.
Further reading and references
Before implementing, document your on-premises topology, IP addressing, and routing policies. Confirm supported gateway SKUs and Azure regions for Global Reach and FastPath to avoid surprises during deployment.

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