The Azure VPN gateway has been an option for supporting Microsoft Always On VPN client connections for organizations moving resources to the cloud. Today, Azure VPN gateway supports Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2), OpenVPN, and Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), although SSTP support has long been limited in scope and scalability. However, Microsoft recently indicated that some important changes are coming soon that will affect VPN protocol support on the Azure VPN gateway.
SSTP and Azure VPN Gateway
Microsoft has announced plans to deprecate and eventually remove support for SSTP on the Azure VPN gateway.
Key Dates
Here is Microsoft’s timeline for retiring SSTP for VPN connections.
- March 31, 2026 – SSTP can no longer be enabled on new or existing gateways
- March 31, 2027 – Existing SSTP connections will stop functioning
SSTP: Second Class Citizen
The retirement of SSTP for Azure VPN gateway should not have a significant impact on Always On VPN deployments. Support for SSTP on Azure VPN gateway has always been limited, making it a less viable option for most Always On VPN deployments. SSTP connections are capped at 128 concurrent connections (256 in active-active mode), regardless of gateway SKU. Additionally, Azure VPN gateway does not support simultaneous user and device tunnels, further limiting its usefulness in modern Always On VPN designs.
Plan Migration Now
If you are using Azure VPN gateway to support Always On VPN client connections, now is the time to begin planning a migration to IKEv2, which offers better scalability and native Always On VPN support. Alternatively, consider Windows Server RRAS in Azure, a third-party VPN solution, or Entra Private Access if Azure VPN gateway no longer meets your requirements.
More Information
For official guidance, see SSTP Protocol Retirement and Connections Migration. If you’re unsure how this change affects your Always On VPN deployment, or you would like help planning a migration, this is a good time to review your design and roadmap. Fill out the form below, and I’ll provide you with more information.
Additional Information
SSTP Protocol Retirement and Connections Migration
Considerations for Always On VPN with Azure VPN Gateway and Virtual WAN