APIM: Azure Managed API – Difference Between External vs Internal Mode

Azure Cloud

In Azure, a “vNet” refers to a virtual network, which allows you to securely connect and isolate Azure resources. The “external” and “internal” modes for vNet in Azure are two different deployment modes for Azure API Management (APIM) services.

External Mode

In the context of Azure API Management, the “External” mode for vNet integration means that the Azure API Management service is deployed in the public space, not connected to any specific virtual network. This is the default deployment mode for APIM. In this mode, the APIM service is accessible from the internet, and clients can consume the published APIs without the need to be within a specific virtual network. It is suitable for scenarios where you want to expose APIs to external consumers over the internet.

Internal Mode

The “Internal” mode for vNet integration means that the Azure API Management service is deployed within an Azure virtual network (vNet). In this mode, the APIM service is not publicly accessible from the internet. It can only be accessed by resources within the same virtual network or other connected networks via virtual network peering or VPN/ExpressRoute connections. This mode is suitable for scenarios where you want to expose APIs only to internal users or applications within a private network and ensure that access to the APIs is restricted.

TLDR;

To summarize, the key difference between “External” and “Internal” mode of vNet in Azure Managed API is whether the APIM service is deployed in a public space, accessible from the internet (External mode), or within a virtual network, accessible only from the connected networks (Internal mode).

It is recommended to check the official Azure documentation for the most up-to-date information on vNet integration with Azure API Management.

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