What is the difference between service endpoint and private end point

Question

I’m trying to understand how Azure manages secure connections, and I keep seeing service endpoints and private endpoints as options. What’s the difference, and how do I know which one to pick?

Answer 1

When using Azure, you'll often see service endpoints and private endpoints. Both help secure access to Azure services, but they work in different ways. Let’s look at their differences in the table below.

Aspect	Service Endpoint	Private Endpoint
Definition	Provides a direct connection to Azure services over a private network.	Creates a private IP address for Azure services within your virtual network.
Access	Traffic is routed through Azure’s backbone, enhancing security.	Traffic remains within your virtual network, providing more control and security.
Network Isolation	Still uses public IP addresses for the service; only enhances security.	Fully private access to Azure services, no public IP exposure.
Setup	Easier to set up; involves enabling endpoints on a subnet.	Requires configuring a private endpoint and DNS settings.
Use Cases	Useful for securing traffic to Azure services while still using public endpoints	Ideal for complete isolation from the internet and secure access.

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