Monitoring Network Traffic in Azure Firewall

Question

What are the best methods to monitor the ingress and egress traffic traversing Azure Firewall?

Answer 1

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Monitoring ingress and egress traffic through Azure Firewall is essential for maintaining network security and performance. Here are effective methods to achieve comprehensive traffic monitoring:

Azure Firewall Logs and Metrics: Azure Firewall generates detailed logs and metrics that provide insights into traffic patterns and firewall operations. These include application and network rule logs, DNS proxy logs, and threat intelligence logs. By analyzing these logs, you can monitor allowed and denied traffic, inspect source and destination IP addresses, and evaluate protocol usage. Metrics such as data processed, throughput, and rule hit counts help assess firewall performance and health.

Microsoft Learn

Azure Monitor Workbooks: Utilize Azure Monitor Workbooks to create interactive reports and visualizations based on Azure Firewall logs and metrics. These workbooks allow you to filter data, analyze trends, and gain actionable insights into your network traffic. Predefined workbooks are available to simplify this process.

GitHub

1. Virtual Network Flow Logs and Traffic Analytics: Enable Virtual Network Flow Logs to capture information about IP traffic flowing through your virtual network. Integrating these logs with Traffic Analytics provides enriched insights into traffic patterns, including top talkers, application usage, and potential security threats. This combination enhances visibility into all traffic passing through Azure Firewall.

Azure Network Watcher: Leverage Azure Network Watcher for comprehensive network monitoring and diagnostics. It offers tools like connection monitoring, packet capture, and topology views, aiding in troubleshooting and understanding network configurations. Network Watcher also supports flow logs and traffic analytics for in-depth traffic analysis.

Microsoft Learn

Azure Monitor Network Insights: This feature provides a visual representation of your network's topology, health, and metrics. It integrates with various monitoring capabilities, including connection monitoring and traffic analytics, offering a centralized view of your network's performance and security posture.

Microsoft Learn

By implementing these methods, you can effectively monitor and analyze the traffic traversing your Azure Firewall, ensuring robust network security and optimal performance.

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