What Is Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS)?

Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS) is a solution that provides networks with direct connectivity to Microsoft’s public ASN, AS8075. Unlike traditional peering, MAPS does not require a /24 prefix. Rather than routing traffic across the open internet, MAPS keeps it on the Microsoft Global Network for as long as possible, only handing it off at the location closest to you, often known as cold-potato routing. This leads to lower latency, more reliable performance, and less exposure to the public internet. 

AS8075 carries traffic for Microsoft’s public-facing services such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365, making these services faster, more predictable, and easier to connect to.

What is Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS)?  

Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS) is a networking service that delivers optimised public peering to Microsoft’s global network via BGP sessions with Microsoft’s public-facing ASN AS8075. 

Unlike traditional peering, MAPS does not require a /24 prefix and keeps traffic on Microsoft’s network for as long as possible before handing it off at the location closest to you, also known as cold potato routing. This approach reduces latency, improves performance predictability, and minimises exposure to the open internet.

How is MAPS Different From Standard Microsoft Peering? 

Standard Peering with Microsoft either over an Internet Exchange or via a Private Network Interconnect (PNI) comes with a set of requirements that can often be a barrier, such as: 

• A minimum /24 prefix

• A minimum 10GE port

• Traffic volumes between 500Mbps and 2Gbps

• Manual approval process

With MAPS, there are no minimum prefix size, meaning networks with as little as /30 are able to participate. Additionally, there are no traffic thresholds, port size requirements or manual approval processes, and at LINX, ordering is fully automated. 

Which Microsoft ASN Should You Be Peering With? 

Microsoft operates two main autonomous systems, AS8075 and AS12076, and understanding the difference is key to knowing which service is right for your needs. 

AS8075 is Microsoft’s public internet facing networks, and carries traffic for all publicly accessible Microsoft services such as Microsoft 365, Teams, and Dynamics 365. When a user makes a Teams call or accesses their inbox, that traffic travels over AS8075. 

AS12076 is Microsoft’s private Azure network and is used for Azure infrastructure services such as compute, storage or virtual networks. This ASN is not available over the public internet, and is instead accessed via ExpressRoute. 

What Are The Benefits of Microsoft Azure Peering Service?  

 Connecting to Microsoft services via MAPS provides a number of benefits such as: 

• Lower Latency: Traffic exits the Microsoft network at the closest point to you, lowering latency for real time applications. 

• More reliable performance: Traffic spends more time on the Microsoft Global Network and less time on the public internet reducing the risk of congestion and issues. 

• No prefix size restrictions: Networks with IPv4 allocation as small as /30 can connect via MAPS. 

Microsoft Azure Peering Service at LINX 

MAPS is accessible for networks at LINX in London (LON1), Manchester, Northern Virginia, and Nairobi. Each LAN runs dedicated infrastructure with direct connections into the Microsoft network, and operates across two sites for added resilience. 

Why Choose LINX For MAPS: 

• Available across four global locations: London, Manchester, Northern Virginia, and Nairobi 

• Fully automated ordering: Existing LINX members can go from order to live peering in five minutes 

• Fully resilient infrastructure: Dedicated connections to Microsoft across two separate sites in every location 

• Flexible bandwidth options: From 50Mbps to 10Gbps 

For more information, visit our Microsoft Azure Peering Service page. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ASN to use MAPS? 

Yes. You need your own ASN to establish a BGP peering session via MAPS. What you do not need is a /24 prefix. MAPS accepts prefixes as small as a /30, which is one of its key advantages over standard Microsoft peering. 

How is MAPS different from traditional public peering? 

Both use AS8075, but MAPS delivers traffic via optimised paths on Microsoft’s backbone using cold-potato routing, reducing latency, improving performance predictability, and keeping your traffic off the open internet for as long as possible. 

Which Microsoft services can I reach using MAPS? 

MAPS provides optimised access to all publicly accessible Microsoft services, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Dynamics 365. 

Is MAPS the same as ExpressRoute? 

No. ExpressRoute is a private, dedicated circuit into the Microsoft Azure platform via AS12076, used for Azure compute and infrastructure workloads. MAPS is public internet peering with AS8075, used for Microsoft 365, Teams, and Dynamics 365. The two are complementary but serve different purposes. 

Where is MAPS Available? 

MAPS is available at all LINX locations where Microsoft has a presence: London, Manchester, Northern Virginia, and Nairobi.