Introduction
In cloud networking, routing is essential for directing traffic efficiently and securely between subnets, virtual networks, and external networks. In Microsoft Azure, custom route tables provide administrators with greater control over how traffic flows within a virtual network—offering flexibility beyond the platform’s default system routes.
This project demonstrates how to configure and manage routing in Azure by creating a custom route table, associating it with specific subnets, and defining custom routes to manage traffic paths. By completing this project, you will develop hands-on experience in Azure routing configuration and learn how to tailor routing behavior to meet application and organizational needs.
Tasks to Complete
Create a Route Table – Build a custom route table to define and manage routing rules within your virtual network.
Add the Route Table – Integrate the newly created route table into the Azure environment for active use.
Associate the Route Table with Subnets – Attach the route table to one or more subnets so that its routing rules apply to the network traffic within those subnets.
Create a Custom Route – Define specific routes that control how traffic is directed, ensuring efficient and secure communication across the network.
Step 1 Create a Route Table
Azure automatically creates a route table for each subnet within an Azure virtual network. The route table includes the default system routes. You can create route tables and routes to override Azure’s default system routes.
Record the private IP address of app-vnet-firewall
In the search box at the top of the portal, enter Firewall. Select Firewall in the search results.
Select app-vnet-firewall.
Select Overview and record the Private IP address.
Step 2 Add the route table
In the search box, enter Route tables. When Route table appears in the search results, select it.
In the Route table page, select + Create and create the route table.
Complete the following configuration
- Subscription: Select your subscription
- Resource group: RG1
- Region: East US
- Name: app-vnet-firewall-rt
Select Review + create
Select Create.
Wait for the route table to deploy, then select Go to resource.
Step 3 Associate the route table to the subnets
In the portal, continue working with the route table, select app-vnet-firewall-rt.
In the Settings blade, select Subnets and then + Associate.
Configure an association to the frontend subnet, then select OK.
Virtual network: app-vnet (RG1)
Subnet: frontend
Configure an association to the backend subnet, then select OK.
Virtual network: app-vnet (RG1)
Subnet: backend
The Frontend and the Backend subnets as been associated to the route table.
Step 4 Create a route in the route table
In the portal, continue working with the route table, select app-vnet-firewall-rt.
In the Settings blade, select Routes and then + Add.
Configure the route, then select Add.
Route name outbound-firewall
Destination type IP addresses
Destination IP addresses/CIDR range 0.0.0.0/0
Next hop type Virtual appliance
Next hop address: private IP address of the firewall (10.0.2.4)
Route was created successfully in the route table
Conclusion
With this project complete, you've successfully created, configured, and linked a custom route table within Azure—giving you precise control over how traffic flows through your virtual network. These steps empower administrators to fine-tune performance, strengthen security, and tailor network behavior to meet specific application needs.
This hands-on exercise showcases the flexibility of Azure’s routing architecture and lays the groundwork for more advanced designs, such as integrating virtual appliances, enforcing traffic inspection, or building hybrid connectivity solutions. You're now equipped to shape network paths with confidence in any cloud scenario.
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