ExpressRoute is a new service that became publically available in May 2014. It allows customers to use dedicated connections from on-premises or colocation data centers to Azure without having to use public Internet.

The advantage of ExpressRoute over VPN connections is more bandwidth, lower latencies, more reliable because of redundancy, and more secure. This service is charged by Microsoft and backed by a SLA. Depending on the bandwidth, a fixed price has to be paid. When outgoing network traffic exceeds a certain threshold cost per GB is charged.

Microsoft partners with cloud exchange service providers such as Equinix and TeleCity Group who offer data center and infrastructure facilities for their customers. For connections between on-premises and Azure, Microsoft partners with point-to-site (P2S) connectivity service providers like level 3.

ExpressRoute is configured using the PowerShell ExpressRoute module or using REST API.

Most Microsoft Azure services can be accessed...