To ensure minimal costs while connecting developers securely to Azure, which network design is ideal?

Choosing virtual network peering as the ideal network design to connect developers securely to Azure while ensuring minimal costs is a strategic decision based on the benefits it provides. Virtual network peering allows you to connect two Azure virtual networks directly, enabling resources in both networks to communicate with each other through the Microsoft backbone, which reduces latency and enhances performance.

This method is cost-effective since it eliminates the need for additional gateways, which are often required in other options. In most cases, there are no additional charges for traffic between peered networks, as long as the traffic doesn't go through Public Internet, which can incur charges and security concerns. Virtual network peering also scales easily, supporting multiple regions, and provides a seamless connection experience for developers working across different Azure environments.

In contrast, options like ExpressRoute tend to be more expensive due to dedicated bandwidth and infrastructure requirements, peer-to-peer networking can introduce security challenges and complex configurations, and using VPN tunnels may require additional overhead and maintenance costs, making them less ideal for a scenario focused on minimizing costs while ensuring secure connections.