1---2name: azure-bastion3description: Expert knowledge for Azure Bastion development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, configuration, and integrations & coding patterns. Use when using Bastion with AKS private clusters, VM scale sets, IP-based access, Kerberos, or hub/spoke VNets, and other Azure Bastion related development tasks. Not for Azure Virtual Network (use azure-virtual-network), Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-virtual-machines), Azure VPN Gateway (use azure-vpn-gateway), Azure Firewall (use azure-firewall).4---5# Azure Bastion Skill
6
7This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Bastion. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, configuration, and integrations & coding patterns. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.
8
9## How to Use This Skill
10
11> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file
12
13> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md)
14
15This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:
16- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.
17- **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.
18
19## Category Index
20
21| Category | Lines | Description |
22|----------|-------|-------------|
23| Troubleshooting | L35-L39 | Diagnosing and resolving common Azure Bastion problems, including connection failures, RDP/SSH issues, network/configuration missteps, and steps to collect logs for support. |
24| Best Practices | L40-L44 | Guidance on reducing Azure Bastion costs through sizing, scaling, and usage patterns while maintaining secure remote access and compliance best practices. |
25| Decision Making | L45-L51 | Guidance on choosing and upgrading Bastion SKU tiers and using IP-based Bastion connections across VNets, subscriptions, and environments. |
26| Architecture & Design Patterns | L52-L58 | Architectural options and patterns for Azure Bastion: hub/spoke and peered VNets, private-only deployments, network/topology design, and deployment guidance for secure remote access. |
27| Security | L59-L65 | Configuring secure Azure Bastion access: Entra ID authentication, required NSG rules, and hardening best practices to lock down Bastion hosts and connections. |
28| Configuration | L66-L77 | Configuring Azure Bastion settings, scaling, IP-based and Kerberos access, monitoring/metrics, session management/recording, native client use, and shareable links. |
29| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L78-L85 | How to use Azure Bastion with AKS private clusters, VM scale sets, and native Windows/Linux clients, including SSH/RDP connectivity patterns and file transfer via Bastion native clients. |
30
31### Troubleshooting
32| Topic | URL |
33|-------|-----|
34| Diagnose and fix common Azure Bastion issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/troubleshoot |
35
36### Best Practices
37| Topic | URL |
38|-------|-----|
39| Optimize Azure Bastion costs without reducing security | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/cost-optimization |
40
41### Decision Making
42| Topic | URL |
43|-------|-----|
44| Select the appropriate Azure Bastion SKU tier | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-sku-comparison |
45| Use Azure Bastion IP-based connections across environments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/connect-ip-address |
46| View and upgrade Azure Bastion SKU tiers safely | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/upgrade-sku |
47
48### Architecture & Design Patterns
49| Topic | URL |
50|-------|-----|
51| Understand Azure Bastion deployment architectures | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/design-architecture |
52| Design and deploy private-only Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/private-only-deployment |
53| Use Azure Bastion with VNet peering architectures | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/vnet-peering |
54
55### Security
56| Topic | URL |
57|-------|-----|
58| Configure Microsoft Entra ID auth for Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-entra-id-authentication |
59| Configure Azure Bastion NSG rules for secure access | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-nsg |
60| Harden and secure your Azure Bastion deployment | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/secure-bastion |
61
62### Configuration
63| Topic | URL |
64|-------|-----|
65| Reference Azure Bastion configuration settings and options | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/configuration-settings |
66| Configure Kerberos authentication for Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/kerberos-authentication-portal |
67| Configure monitoring and diagnostics for Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/monitor-bastion |
68| Reference monitoring metrics and logs for Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/monitor-bastion-reference |
69| Configure Azure Bastion for native client access | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/native-client |
70| Monitor and manage active Azure Bastion sessions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/session-monitoring |
71| Configure and store Azure Bastion session recordings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/session-recording |
72| Create and use Azure Bastion shareable links | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/shareable-link |
73
74### Integrations & Coding Patterns
75| Topic | URL |
76|-------|-----|
77| Connect to AKS private clusters via Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-connect-to-aks-private-cluster |
78| Connect to VM scale sets using Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-connect-vm-scale-set |
79| Connect from Linux native clients through Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/connect-vm-native-client-linux |
80| Connect from Windows native clients through Azure Bastion | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/connect-vm-native-client-windows |
81| Transfer files via Azure Bastion native clients | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/vm-upload-download-native |
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