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A solutions architect is designing a highly available and scalable web application on Azure. The application uses Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS) for its web servers and requires a Layer 7 load balancing solution with URL-based routing to direct traffic to different backend pools based on the request path. Which Azure service should the architect recommend?
- AAzure Front Door
- BAzure Application Gateway
- CAzure Load Balancer
- DAzure Traffic Manager
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Azure Application Gateway
Azure Application Gateway provides Layer 7 (HTTP/HTTPS) load balancing, including URL-based routing, which is essential for directing traffic to different backend pools based on the request path. It integrates well with Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Azure Front Door is a global, scalable entry-point that can provide Layer 7 capabilities, but Application Gateway is typically used for regional Layer 7 load balancing with specific backend pool routing needs like URL-based routing within a VNet.
- C. Azure Load Balancer operates at Layer 4 (TCP/UDP) and does not support URL-based routing.
- D. Azure Traffic Manager is a DNS-based traffic load balancer that distributes traffic globally at the DNS level, not at Layer 7 with URL-based routing within a region.
Azure Application Gateway
A web traffic load balancer that enables you to manage traffic to your web applications.
- Operates at Layer 7 (HTTP/S).
- Supports URL-based routing and session affinity.
- Includes Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities.
Memory trick: Application Gateway is the smart bouncer for your web traffic, checking the invite (URL) at the door.