AWS Direct Connect Overview and Configuration

Learn about AWS Direct Connect, a service that provides a dedicated, private network connection from your premises to AWS. Follow our guide to set up and configure AWS Direct Connect, including requirements and features.

AWS Direct Connect Overview

AWS Direct Connect enables you to establish a dedicated, private network connection from your premises to an AWS location. This service uses 802.1Q VLANs, allowing you to partition the connection into multiple virtual interfaces. This setup reduces network costs and increases bandwidth by enabling access to public resources using the same connection. Additionally, virtual interfaces can be reconfigured as needed.

Requirements for Using AWS Direct Connect

Location Requirement

Your network should be in an AWS Direct Connect location. You can find the list of available locations here.

Partner Requirement

You should be working with an AWS Direct Connect partner who is a member of the AWS Partner Network (APN). The list of partners is available here.

Service Provider Compatibility

Your service provider must be capable of connecting to AWS Direct Connect.

Technical Requirements

  • Fiber Connection: Use single-mode fiber with 1000BASE-LX (1310nm) for 1 Gbps Ethernet or 10GBASE-LR (1310nm) for 10 Gbps Ethernet. Auto-negotiation for the port must be disabled.
  • VLAN Support: Your network must support 802.1Q VLANs across these connections.
  • BGP and BFD: The network must support Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and BGP MD5 authentication. Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) is optional but recommended.

How to Configure AWS Direct Connect

Step 1: Access AWS Direct Connect Console

Open the AWS Direct Connect console via this link.

Step 2: Select Your Region

Choose the AWS Direct Connect region from the navigation bar.

Step 3: Get Started with Direct Connect

On the welcome page, click "Get Started with Direct Connect".

Step 4: Create a Connection

A dialog box will appear. Fill in the required details and click "Create". AWS will send a confirmation email to the authorized user within 72 hours.

Step 5: Create a Virtual Interface

Reopen the AWS console and navigate to the "Connection" section in the navigation bar. Select "Create Virtual Interface", fill in the necessary details, and click "Continue".

Step 6: Download Router Configuration

Click "Download Router Configuration" and then "Download".

Step 7: Verify the Virtual Interface (Optional)

To verify the connection:

  • Run a traceroute to check if the AWS Direct Connect identifier appears in the network trace.
  • For Amazon VPC connections, launch an Amazon EC2 instance in the VPC connected to the virtual private gateway. Ping the instance’s private IP address to confirm the connection.

Features of AWS Direct Connect

  • Reduces Bandwidth Costs: AWS Direct Connect reduces data transfer costs both to and from AWS by offering reduced rates compared to standard internet data transfer rates.
  • Compatibility with All AWS Services: It supports all AWS services accessible over the internet, including Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, and Amazon VPC.
  • Private Connectivity to Amazon VPC: You can establish a private virtual interface directly from your network to an Amazon VPC with high bandwidth.
  • Elastic Connectivity: AWS Direct Connect offers 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps connections, with the flexibility to provision multiple connections as needed.
  • Ease of Use: AWS Direct Connect is easy to set up via the AWS Management Console, where you can manage all connections and virtual interfaces.

By following these steps, you can efficiently set up and manage AWS Direct Connect, ensuring secure and high-bandwidth connections to your AWS resources.