Navigating Azure Bot Networking: Key Considerations for Privatization

Navigating the complexities of cloud solutions can be a daunting task, and Azure Bot solutions are no exception. Many customers are facing the issue of privatizing their bot’s messaging endpoint, but this breaks communication with the channel, resulting in a 502 error and the bot becoming unresponsive.

The need for public messaging endpoints is described in the following topics: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bot Framework Security and Privacy – Bot Service | microsoft runI aim to share insights and practical considerations from my experience working with clients. Contact Microsoft Support for detailed instructions.

Privatizing a bot solution is more complex than a traditional web application or API where clients call the web application directly. In a bot solution, the user does not interact directly with the Bot/Web App. Instead, those requests are negotiated and proxied through the channel connector. Bots can also send messages asynchronously through these channels. Example of Network isolation for Azure web appsIncludes all components available within a customer managed network.

Bots as a solution

• client: A user-oriented application used to consume/interact with Bot solutions. For example: web chat widgetTeams, Slack, etc.
• bot service: This managed SaaS umbrella includes configuration management, channel services, and token services. Services are provided through: .botframework.com endpoint.
• bot application: Use the Bot SDK or Composer to create HTTP-based applications that encapsulate functional and interactive logic, including recognition, processing, and storage. Bot applications work using: Bot Framework Activity Specification.
• Channel connector: Azure Bot Service provides two primary channels (direct and web chat) while also allowing extensions to other clients/channels. Channel Connectors operate within data centers implemented and managed by their owners. Messaging endpoints are not exposed to end users. Instead, users connect through channel connectors, which manage user sessions, activity coordination, and authentication. Different clients, such as Teams and Slack, uniquely represent messages and activities. The Bot SDK application understands and responds to activities defined by: Bot Framework Activity SpecificationChannels are responsible for translating activity and delivering it to applications.

References:

Simplified view of Directline Bot (Web Chat: Full-featured Bundle):

A simplified view of the Teams Bot solution:

that direct phone and team The client does not call the bot’s endpoint directly. Instead, that request is proxied through: direct service or Team Channel Connector. Privatizing bot applications/endpoints will likely disrupt communication between channel connectors and bot applications. These channel connectors operate within managed data centers, so requests from channels to bots traverse the public internet. This is why public messaging endpoints are essential for most channels.

Bot Solution security options:

• You can use a gateway to expose a public IP address/endpoint and proxy it internally to App Service. for example, Azure App Gateway, Azure Firewall, blue front door Upstream of App Service. This is not a complete option and any firewall/gateway that exposes a public endpoint upstream of your private Bot App must be enabled.
• If you want to use the AppService directly as a messaging endpoint, you can enable public access and add restrictions to allow requests from the intended channel.
• You can use the DirectLine AppService extension to make communications completely private only when using DirectLine channels.
• Other Security FAQs:

DirectLine App Service Extensions (DL-ASE) Considerations | Fully isolated Directline bot:

Hope this helps!