Upgrading MS Azure ExpressRoute Circuit Bandwidth

ExpressRoute provides a dedicated and private connection to Microsoft’s global network, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity. This guide will walk you through the process of upgrading your ExpressRoute circuit bandwidth, covering key considerations and steps to ensure a smooth transition.

Understanding ExpressRoute
ExpressRoute facilitates connectivity through an ExpressRoute partner’s network or a direct connection to the Microsoft Enterprise Edge (MSEE) devices. Once physical connectivity is established and tested, you can enable layer-2 and layer-3 connectivity by creating an ExpressRoute circuit and configuring peering.

Capacity Considerations
When planning to upgrade your ExpressRoute circuit bandwidth, it’s crucial to consider the capacity of your physical connection and the available bandwidth from your ExpressRoute partner or ExpressRoute Direct.

Insufficient Capacity for Physical Connection
An ExpressRoute circuit is created on a physical connection between Microsoft and an ExpressRoute Partner. This physical connection has a fixed capacity. If you’re unable to increase your circuit size, it means the underlying physical connection for your existing circuit doesn’t have the capacity for the upgrade. In such cases, you need to create a new circuit.

Steps to Create a New Circuit

1. Create a New ExpressRoute Circuit: Set up a new circuit with the desired bandwidth.
2. Link Existing Virtual Networks: Connect your existing virtual networks to the new circuit.
3. Test and Validate Connectivity: Ensure the new circuit is functioning correctly before deprovisioning the old circuit.
4. Minimize Downtime: Follow recommended migration steps to minimize downtime and disruption to your production workload.

Insufficient ExpressRoute Partner Bandwidth
If you encounter a capacity error while creating a new ExpressRoute circuit, it indicates that your ExpressRoute partner doesn’t have sufficient capacity at the peering location. In this case, contact your ExpressRoute partner to request additional capacity.

Insufficient ExpressRoute Direct Bandwidth
If the ExpressRoute Direct resource lacks sufficient capacity, you have two options:

1. Delete Unnecessary Circuits: Remove circuits associated with the ExpressRoute Direct resource that are no longer needed.
2. Create a New ExpressRoute Direct Resource: Set up a new resource with the required capacity.

Upgrading Circuit Bandwidth
To upgrade your circuit bandwidth, ensure that the ExpressRoute Direct or ExpressRoute partner has sufficient available bandwidth. If capacity is available, you can proceed with the upgrade using one of the following methods:

• Azure Portal: Use the Azure portal to manage and upgrade your circuit.
• PowerShell: Utilize PowerShell commands for upgrading the circuit.
• Azure CLI: Employ Azure CLI for a command-line interface approach.

Conclusion
Upgrading your ExpressRoute circuit bandwidth involves careful planning and coordination with your ExpressRoute partner or Microsoft. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure a seamless upgrade process with minimal disruption to your services.