Cloud Direct Connect

Private dedicated connection between on-premises networks and cloud service providers (CSP) that bypasses the public internet
Creates a hybrid cloud architecture by extending enterprise networks directly into cloud data centers
Provides consistent network performance, enhanced security, and reduced data transfer costs compared to internet-based connections

Physical Connection: Dedicated fiber or ethernet circuit from customer premises to CSP point of presence (PoP)
Cross Connect: Physical cable connecting customer equipment to CSP infrastructure within colocation facility
Virtual Interfaces (VIFs): Logical connections that carry traffic for specific VLANs or services
BGP Peering: Dynamic routing protocol used to exchange routes between customer and CSP networks

Model	Description	Use Case	Bandwidth
Dedicated Connection	Single customer owns entire circuit	High bandwidth, predictable workloads	1 Gbps - 100 Gbps
Hosted Connection	Shared circuit through partner provider	Smaller bandwidth needs, cost-effective	50 Mbps - 10 Gbps
Virtual Connection	Software-defined connection over shared infrastructure	Variable bandwidth, burst capacity	1 Mbps - 10 Gbps

Planning Phase: Assess bandwidth requirements, select connection type, choose colocation facility
Physical Provisioning: Install customer equipment (router/switch) in colocation facility near CSP PoP
Cross Connect Installation: CSP or facility provider installs physical cable between customer and CSP equipment
Configuration: Configure BGP peering, VLANs, and routing policies on both sides
Testing: Verify connectivity, routing, and performance before production cutover

Cost Reduction: Lower data transfer costs for high-volume workloads (especially egress from cloud)
Performance: Consistent latency and bandwidth compared to variable internet performance
Security: Traffic never traverses public internet, reducing attack surface
Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements for data sovereignty and privacy
Hybrid Integration: Seamless extension of on-premises networks into cloud environments

Data Center Migration: Moving workloads to cloud while maintaining on-premises connectivity
Backup and DR: High-speed replication of data to cloud storage services
Burst Computing: Scaling compute resources into cloud during peak demand periods
Multi-Cloud: Connecting to multiple CSPs through single physical connection

Routing: BGP required for dynamic routing; static routes possible for simple configurations
VLAN Tagging: 802.1Q VLANs separate traffic for different services or environments
Redundancy: Deploy multiple connections across different facilities for high availability
Bandwidth: Choose capacity based on sustained throughput needs, not burst requirements
Latency: Typically 1-5ms additional latency compared to local network connections

PoP (Point of Presence): CSP facility where customer connections terminate
Cross Connect: Physical cable connecting customer equipment to CSP infrastructure
VIF (Virtual Interface): Logical connection carrying traffic for specific VLAN
BGP ASN: Autonomous System Number required for BGP peering with CSP
VLAN ID: 802.1Q tag identifying traffic for specific service or environment

Notes

Setup time typically 2-8 weeks due to physical provisioning requirements - plan accordingly for migrations
Most CSPs charge both port fees (monthly) and data transfer fees (per GB), making cost analysis complex
Consider geographic proximity to CSP PoP - longer distances increase latency and may require additional carrier circuits
BGP configuration errors can cause routing loops or suboptimal paths - always test thoroughly in non-production environment
Some services (like internet gateways) may still require public internet connectivity even with direct connect established
Bandwidth upgrades often require new cross connects and extended lead times - size connections for future growth
Single point of failure unless redundant connections deployed across different facilities and diverse paths