# Microsoft Azure Cloud Configuration

If your public cloud provider is Microsoft Azure Cloud, you need to [**Create an ExpressRoute Circuit**](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-howto-circuit-portal-resource-manager?pivots=expressroute-current#create) first on Azure Cloud console, generate a **service key** and share it to Zenlayer. The general steps are listed below.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2FVMgwU8RVg9iAMrofXC8Z%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=43f70a6a-3f2e-4b24-bddd-97edade3d1f4" alt=""><figcaption><p>Azure ExpressRoute Connection via 3rd Party Provider </p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Prerequisites

1. Zenlayer support service providers like [**Equinix**](https://www.equinix.com/partners/microsoft-azure/) and [**Megaport**](https://www.megaport.com/services/microsoft-expressroute/). View [**available locations**](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-locations#global-commercial-azure) supported by these providers.
2. Your ExpressRoute circuit is billed from the moment a service key is issued. Ensure that you perform this operation when the connectivity provider is ready to provision the circuit.

## **On Azure Cloud Console**

1. [**Create an ExpressRoute circuit**](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-howto-circuit-portal-resource-manager?pivots=expressroute-current#create)
2. View the properties to find the **Service Key**.

<figure><img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2FBMDBVcTyaOXMpOr64yw4%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eac4320b-f1de-4492-9490-24621fd5dce9" alt=""><figcaption><p>Service Key</p></figcaption></figure>

## **On Zenlayer Console**

Use the service key generated on Azure Cloud to create cloud connect.

* [**Layer 2 connection**](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection/select-a-public-cloud-as-access-point)
* [**Layer 3 connection**](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-3-connection/select-a-public-cloud-as-access-point)

## **Go Back to Azure Cloud Console**

1. [**Connect a virtual network to your ExpressRoute circuit**](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-howto-linkvnet-portal-resource-manager?pivots=expressroute-current)
2. [**Configure a virtual network gateway for your ExpressRoute circuit**](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/expressroute/expressroute-howto-add-gateway-portal-resource-manager)

<figure><img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2FH3r7hlusFgHGZL9sW2Pp%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=32a0fc37-f5e3-46e2-9ae8-dbc2be89a117" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>