Connectivity methods for AWS and hybrid networks (for example, Direct Connect gateway, Transit Gateway, VIFs)

What is AWS Direct Connect, and how does it differ from using the public internet for AWS connectivity?

AWS Direct Connect is a cloud service that links your network directly to AWS, facilitating a private connection between your infrastructure and AWS data centers. It differs from using the public internet as it offers more consistent network performance, lower latency, and often lower data transfer costs. This service establishes a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS, bypassing the public internet.

Can you explain what a Direct Connect Gateway is and the problem it solves for hybrid networks?

A Direct Connect Gateway is a networking construct that allows users to connect their AWS Direct Connect connection to multiple VPCs in their account that are located in different AWS Regions, without requiring a separate physical connection for each region. This helps in simplifying the network architecture for hybrid networks, reducing costs, and centralizing the management of multiple VPC connections over a single Direct Connect link.

What is a Virtual Interface (VIF), and how is it used in conjunction with AWS Direct Connect?

A Virtual Interface (VIF) is a logical connection that can be created over an AWS Direct Connect connection allowing access to AWS services. There are two types of VIFs: Public VIFs, which provide access to public AWS services like Amazon S3; and Private VIFs, which provide access to your VPC resources. VIFs enable you to segregate traffic and connect to different resources across your Direct Connect connection.

How does AWS Transit Gateway facilitate connectivity within a hybrid cloud architecture?

AWS Transit Gateway acts as a network transit hub that can interconnect VPCs and on-premises networks through a central gateway. By aggregating connectivity in a hub-and-spoke model, it simplifies the management of network topologies, reduces the number of peering connections needed, and aids in scalable architecture for connecting hundreds of VPCs and on-premises networks using a single gateway.

What is the primary difference between a Transit VPC and an AWS Transit Gateway?

A Transit VPC is an architecture that uses a VPC to route traffic between different VPCs or between VPCs and on-premises networks. An AWS Transit Gateway is a managed service that provides a similar function but without the overhead of manually setting up and managing this connectivity. The Transit Gateway is more scalable, easier to manage, and allows for more connections than a Transit VPC setup.

When would you recommend using VPN connections over AWS Direct Connect?

VPN connections would be recommended in scenarios where dedicated bandwidth is not required, or in cases where geographical or fiscal constraints prevent setting up AWS Direct Connect. VPNs can also be used as a redundancy strategy in conjunction with AWS Direct Connect or when the on-premises environment needs a quick setup for temporary, encrypted connections to AWS.

How does AWS enable encryption in transit when using AWS Direct Connect?

AWS provides the option to encrypt traffic in transit over AWS Direct Connect by establishing a virtual private network (VPN) over the Direct Connect link. This is achieved using IPsec VPN connections which encrypt the data as it transits between the AWS network and the customer’s data center, thereby providing a secure, encrypted tunnel over the dedicated connection.

Can you interconnect VPCs in different AWS accounts using AWS Transit Gateway?

Yes, with AWS Transit Gateway, you can interconnect VPCs in different AWS accounts by using AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM) to share the Transit Gateway with other accounts. This enables central management and connectivity across multiple accounts, simplifying network topologies and operational overhead.

How can you control routing and network access in a hybrid environment using AWS Transit Gateway?

You can control routing and network access using AWS Transit Gateway by implementing route tables, network access control lists (ACLs), security groups, and routing policies. These tools allow you to define the flow of traffic between the interconnected networks, enforce security policies, and manage access to resources within a hybrid environment effectively.

What are some potential scalability considerations when using AWS Direct Connect?

Potential scalability considerations include the capacity of the physical connection—whether it can handle the current and future traffic loads, and the option to add more connections or use AWS Direct Connect Gateway to connect to multiple VPCs. It’s also important to consider the bandwidth of the Direct Connect ports and the option to use link aggregation groups (LAGs) for increased capacity and resiliency.

How does AWS ensure redundancy with AWS Direct Connect deployments?

AWS ensures redundancy by recommending customers to establish multiple Direct Connect connections. Optionally, customers can create these multiple connections at geographically diverse Direct Connect locations. Additionally, customers can integrate AWS Direct Connect with VPNs for failover scenarios, and also use LAGs to aggregate multiple connections for increased bandwidth and redundancy.

What is the role of Hosted Virtual Interfaces in AWS Direct Connect?

Hosted Virtual Interfaces (Hosted VIFs) enable AWS Direct Connect customers to create virtual interfaces on a shared Direct Connect connection, typically provided by an AWS Direct Connect Partner. This approach is ideal for smaller workloads or for customers who do not require a dedicated 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps connection. Hosted VIFs can be used for private connectivity to VPCs or for public services access, allowing customers to benefit from AWS Direct Connect without having a dedicated leased line.