Help with upgrading ExpressRoute circuit from 2Gbps to 10Gbps

Question

We have a 10 Gb circuit from our provider, and currently have the Azure side configured as 2000 Mbps. We are also using the ErGw2AZ sku on the virtual network gateway. We are wanting to upgrade to 10 Gb within Azure, but I wanted to make sure I am not missing any gotchas. From what I am reading, we just simply need to choose the 10 Gb speed in the ExpressRoute configuration, and choose ErGw3AZ as the sku in the virtual network gateway. I know that there is a possibility of getting an error that there are not enough resources on Azure's side, and if that is the case then we need to recreate the circuit at the higher bandwidth. If we run into this error, will it just not let us upgrade, or does it put our current circuit in a failed state? Is the speed in the configuration, and the gateway sku the only two things that need to be changed? Are there any risks with this change that I need to be aware of? Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

Hi @ Jason Bea

Upgrading your ExpressRoute circuit from 2Gbps to 10Gbps involves a few key steps and considerations. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Steps to Upgrade ExpressRoute Circuit

1. Upgrade Circuit Bandwidth:
   • Navigate to the ExpressRoute circuit in the Azure portal.
   • Select the new bandwidth (10Gbps) from the Bandwidth menu.
   • Save the changes.

Upgrade Virtual Network Gateway SKU:

• Change the SKU of your virtual network gateway from ErGw2AZ to ErGw3AZ. This can be done in the Azure portal under the virtual network gateway settings.

Considerations and Potential Issues

• Insufficient Capacity:
  • If there is insufficient capacity on Azure's side, you may encounter an error. In this case, you will need to create a new circuit at the higher bandwidth.
  • If you run into this error, your current circuit will not be put into a failed state. Instead, the upgrade will simply not proceed.
• Recreating the Circuit:
  • If you need to recreate the circuit, follow these steps:
    • Create a new ExpressRoute circuit with the desired bandwidth.
    • Link your existing virtual networks to the new circuit.
    • Test and validate the connectivity of the new circuit before deprovisioning the old one.

Risks and Precautions

• Downtime: There may be a brief period of downtime during the transition. Ensure that you plan for this and communicate with stakeholders accordingly.
• Configuration Validation: Double-check all configurations to ensure that they are correct. This includes the bandwidth setting and the virtual network gateway SKU.

By following these steps and considerations, you should be able to upgrade your ExpressRoute circuit smoothly. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out for further assistance. Good luck with your upgrade.

See Microsoft learn documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/about-upgrade-circuit-bandwidth