What is AWS Direct Connect?

AWS Direct Connect is a cloud service solution that allows an organization to establish a dedicated network connection from their premises to Amazon Web Services (AWS). This service will enable users to bypass the public internet, leading to more consistent network performance and, often, reduced bandwidth costs. This makes AWS Direct Connect an appealing choice for businesses that require a more reliable and secure connection to their AWS resources.

How does AWS Direct Connect work?

AWS Direct Connect establishes a private connection between an organization's data center, office, or colocation environment and the nearest AWS region. This is achieved through a direct link via a standard 1 gigabit or 10 gigabit Ethernet fibre-optic cable. To initiate, users must first request a Direct Connect connection within the AWS Management Console, choose a location, and then work with AWS or an AWS Partner Network (APN) to establish the physical connection. Once configured, traffic flows between the network and AWS directly, bypassing the internet and potentially reducing exposure to internet-based threats and variability in network performance.

Use Cases

The use cases for AWS Direct Connect are varied and span across multiple industries:

High-Volume Data Transfer: Companies that transfer large volumes of data to and from AWS can benefit from reduced network costs and improved bandwidth throughput.

Hybrid Environments: AWS Direct Connect provides a more seamless and secure way to integrate these systems for organizations running both on-premises and cloud environments.

Real-Time Data Processing: Businesses requiring real-time data processing and low-latency access to AWS services find AWS Direct Connect particularly beneficial for faster response times.