Tutorial / Cram Notes

AWS Direct Connect provides a private, dedicated network connection from on-premises to AWS. However, Direct Connect alone does not provide encryption for the data in transit. By using a VPN in combination with Direct Connect, you can benefit from the reduced latency and increased bandwidth while also ensuring that your data is encrypted as it traverses the public internet.

This setup involves creating an AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection, and routing it over the AWS Direct Connect connection. The VPN can be established directly over a virtual private gateway or a transit gateway attached to the VPC.

Configuring VPN Connectivity

Step 1: Set Up AWS Direct Connect

Before configuring VPN connectivity, you must have an AWS Direct Connect connection set up between your on-premises network and AWS. This involves:

  • Requesting an AWS Direct Connect port in an AWS Direct Connect location.
  • Establishing a cross-connect between your network and the AWS Direct Connect location.
  • Creating a virtual interface (private or public) associated with your AWS Direct Connect connection.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Private Gateway or Transit Gateway

Next, create a virtual private gateway (VGW) or a transit gateway (TGW) and attach it to your VPC:

# Create a virtual private gateway
aws ec2 create-vpn-gateway –type ipsec.1

# Attach the virtual private gateway to your VPC
aws ec2 attach-vpn-gateway –vpn-gateway-id <vgw-id> –vpc-id <vpc-id>

Alternatively, if using Transit Gateway:

# Create a transit gateway
aws ec2 create-transit-gateway

# Attach it to your VPC
aws ec2 create-transit-gateway-vpc-attachment –transit-gateway-id <tgw-id> –vpc-id <vpc-id>

Step 3: Create a Site-to-Site VPN Connection

After you have the VGW or TGW in place, create a Site-to-Site VPN connection that points to the aforementioned gateway.

# Create a Site-to-Site VPN connection
aws ec2 create-vpn-connection –type ipsec.1 –customer-gateway-id <cgw-id> –vpn-gateway-id <vgw-id or tgw-id>

Step 4: Update Route Tables

Modify your route tables to route traffic destined for the VPC over the VPN connection, which is in turn flowing over the AWS Direct Connect link.

# Update route to point to the VGW or TGW
aws ec2 create-route –route-table-id <route-table-id> –destination-cidr-block <vpc-cidr> –gateway-id <vgw-id or tgw-id>

Step 5: Configure BGP Sessions

Configure Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) sessions to advertise routes between your on-premises network and your VPC over the VPN connection.

Benefits of VPN Connectivity over Direct Connect

Here are the key benefits of using a VPN over AWS Direct Connect:

  • Enhanced Security: Encrypts data in transit, providing a higher level of security for sensitive information.
  • Improved Reliability: The dedicated connection reduces the risk of network congestion and provides a consistent network experience.
  • Scalability: Easy to scale as your business needs grow, since Direct Connect can accommodate multiple virtual interfaces.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Potential cost savings, as you can scale your bandwidth and only pay for what you need.

Best Practices for VPN over Direct Connect

  • Redundancy: Ensure you have redundant VPN connections over separate Direct Connect links for high availability.
  • Consistent Monitoring: Use AWS CloudWatch and other monitoring tools to keep an eye on the health and performance of your VPN connections.
  • Encryption Performance: Be aware of the encryption overhead and ensure your Customer Gateway (CGW) can handle the additional performance requirements.
  • Network Optimization: Make adjustments based on your networking needs, such as using Direct Connect primarily for stable workloads and VPN for peak or burst traffic.

By utilizing VPN connectivity over AWS Direct Connect, AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS-C01) exam candidates can demonstrate their ability to design and implement secure and efficient hybrid network architectures using AWS networking services.

Practice Test with Explanation

(True/False) AWS Direct Connect can be used in combination with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to establish a more secure and reliable connection to AWS.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: AWS Direct Connect can indeed be used with a VPN to create a private, dedicated connection that can be encrypted for additional security.

(True/False) AWS Direct Connect bypasses the internet entirely, hence it is not possible to establish a VPN connection over Direct Connect.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: While AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection, it is still possible to run a VPN over this connection for encrypted traffic, which can combine the benefits of a private link with the security features of a VPN.

(Multiple Select) Which of the following components are required to establish VPN connectivity over AWS Direct Connect? (Choose two)

  • A) Virtual Private Gateway (VGW)
  • B) Customer Gateway (CGW)
  • C) Dedicated Interconnect
  • D) Direct Connect Gateway

Answer: A) Virtual Private Gateway (VGW), B) Customer Gateway (CGW)

Explanation: A Virtual Private Gateway (VGW) is attached to the VPC and a Customer Gateway (CGW) is hosted on the customer’s side to establish a VPN connection over AWS Direct Connect.

(Single Select) What is the purpose of using a Direct Connect Gateway?

  • A) To connect to multiple VPCs in different regions
  • B) To increase the bandwidth of the Direct Connect link
  • C) To replace the need for a Virtual Private Gateway
  • D) To enable public internet access over Direct Connect

Answer: A) To connect to multiple VPCs in different regions

Explanation: A Direct Connect Gateway allows you to connect to multiple VPCs located in different AWS Regions using the same Direct Connect connection.

(True/False) When using VPN over Direct Connect, each VPC will need a separate Virtual Interface (VIF).

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: For connecting multiple VPCs using VPN over AWS Direct Connect, you can leverage a single Public Virtual Interface (VIF) connecting to a Direct Connect Gateway, which associates with multiple VGWs in different VPCs.

(Multiple Select) What are the benefits of using VPN over AWS Direct Connect? (Choose two)

  • A) Lower latency compared to internet-based VPN
  • B) Consistent network performance
  • C) Free data egress
  • D) Inherent DDoS protection

Answer: A) Lower latency compared to internet-based VPN, B) Consistent network performance

Explanation: VPN over AWS Direct Connect usually provides lower latency and more consistent network performance than internet-based VPN connections. However, data transfer costs apply, and while Direct Connect can help reduce the risk of DDoS attacks compared to internet-based connections, it does not provide inherent DDoS protection.

(Single Select) Which encryption mechanism is natively supported by AWS for VPN connections over Direct Connect?

  • A) SSL
  • B) IPsec
  • C) WPA2
  • D) PPTP

Answer: B) IPsec

Explanation: AWS natively supports IPsec VPN connections, which you can establish over your Direct Connect connection for secure communication.

(True/False) A benefit of establishing a VPN over Direct Connect instead of an internet-based VPN is the ability to have a dedicated physical connection for data transfer.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: A VPN over Direct Connect leverages the dedicated physical connection provided by Direct Connect, enhancing privacy and performance compared to an internet-based VPN.

(Multiple Select) When configuring VPN over Direct Connect, which actions will you typically perform? (Choose two)

  • A) Create a Public Virtual Interface
  • B) Create a Private Virtual Interface
  • C) Configure your Customer Gateway
  • D) Disable Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

Answer: A) Create a Public Virtual Interface, C) Configure your Customer Gateway

Explanation: To set up VPN over Direct Connect, you create a Public Virtual Interface (not a Private Virtual Interface) and configure your Customer Gateway (CGW) to create and manage the VPN connection.

(True/False) AWS Direct Connect does not support dynamic routing over VPN connections; static routing must be configured instead.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: AWS Direct Connect supports dynamic routing using the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) over VPN connections, thereby enabling automatic updates in route propagation.

(Single Select) What is required for BGP to successfully establish a routing session over a VPN connection using Direct Connect?

  • A) A matching pre-shared key between the VGW and CGW
  • B) A unique Autonomous System Number (ASN) assigned to both VGW and CGW
  • C) Configuring static routes in the VPC routing table
  • D) Enabling an Internet Gateway in the VPC

Answer: B) A unique Autonomous System Number (ASN) assigned to both VGW and CGW

Explanation: BGP requires both ends of the VPN connection to have a unique ASN assigned to successfully establish a BGP routing session.

Interview Questions

Can you explain what AWS Direct Connect is and how it differs from VPN connectivity?

AWS Direct Connect is a network service that provides an alternative to using the internet to utilize AWS services by establishing a private connection from an on-premises network to Amazon VPC. It offers a more consistent network experience compared to internet-based connections. VPN connectivity, on the other hand, involves creating an encrypted tunnel over the internet to connect your private infrastructure to AWS services. Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection, while VPNs use the public internet but with encryption for security.

What are the primary advantages of using VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect?

The primary advantage of using VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect is that VPNs can be established quickly and do not require a physical connection to the AWS network. This makes VPNs more cost-effective for smaller data transfers, more flexible, and quicker to set up compared to Direct Connect, which typically requires more upfront investment and time to provision.

In what circumstance would you prefer to set up a VPN over Direct Connect?

I would prefer to set up a VPN over Direct Connect when the use case requires quick deployment, where scalability and the ability to connect from multiple geographic locations are important, or when handling variable or relatively low volumes of traffic. It’s also preferable when looking for a more cost-effective solution for redundancy or for businesses that do not require the high throughput provided by Direct Connect.

How would you establish redundancy for your AWS Direct Connect connection and how does VPN fit into this strategy?

To establish redundancy for AWS Direct Connect, you should set up a second Direct Connect connection, ideally using a different Direct Connect location to ensure physical diversity. VPN can also be integrated into this strategy by serving as a failover option in case both Direct Connect links fail or as a supplementary connection for increased resiliency and traffic management.

Can you implement both AWS Direct Connect and VPN simultaneously? If yes, how does AWS Direct Connect and VPN work together?

Yes, you can implement both AWS Direct Connect and VPN simultaneously. AWS Direct Connect can be used for a stable, high bandwidth connection, while VPNs add an additional layer of redundancy and can encrypt traffic that requires higher security. Traffic can be configured to route over Direct Connect for efficiency and fall back to VPN in case of a Direct Connect outage.

What encryption options are available when using VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect?

When using VPN Connectivity over Direct Connect, the VPN connection provides encryption using IPsec (Internet Protocol Security), which ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of the data that traverses the public internet. Direct Connect itself does not provide encryption, as it’s a private link, but coupling it with a VPN connection adds the security layer with encryption.

What are the differences in bandwidth when using VPN Connectivity compared to AWS Direct Connect?

VPN Connectivity is generally bandwidth-constrained compared to AWS Direct Connect, due to its reliance on the public internet and encryption overhead. VPNs can typically handle speeds up to 25 Gbps per connection, whereas AWS Direct Connect can provide dedicated connections at 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps, and link aggregation groups (LAGs) can combine multiple connections for higher throughput.

How does network performance compare when using VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect versus using the internet-based VPN?

Network performance over VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect is generally more consistent and offers lower latency than internet-based VPN connections. Since Direct Connect provides a private, dedicated network connection to AWS, it bypasses the public internet, reducing the risk of jitter, congestion, and packet loss that can affect internet-based VPNs.

What are some of the challenges of configuring VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect?

Some challenges include the complex configuration of route prioritization for failover and backup, ensuring the proper setup of BGP for dynamic routing, managing IPsec encryption for the VPN connection, and ensuring that network ACLs, security groups, and route table entries are correctly configured to allow traffic to flow securely and efficiently over both the Direct Connect and VPN connections.

How does the pricing model for VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect compare with using a VPN over the public internet?

The pricing model for VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect involves costs for both the Direct Connect connection (port-hour charges and data transfer out fees) and the VPN connection (VPN connection-hour charges). Using a VPN over the public internet only incurs VPN connection-hour charges and the cost for the internet service provider (ISP). While Direct Connect provides a more stable and potentially faster connection, it’s usually more expensive than a VPN over the internet due to the additional dedicated connection fees.

Discuss how Quality of Service (QoS) can be managed when using VPN Connectivity over AWS Direct Connect.

Quality of Service (QoS) cannot be directly managed over the AWS portion of a Direct Connect or VPN connection, as AWS networks are designed to provide the best effort delivery. However, you can implement QoS policies on your on-premises network equipment before traffic enters the Direct Connect or VPN connection. Properly configuring QoS can prioritize important or latency-sensitive traffic such as VoIP or streaming.

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Marc Walker
6 months ago

This tutorial on VPN connectivity over Direct Connect for the ANS-C01 exam is super helpful!

Dennis Harvey
6 months ago

I was wondering if it’s possible to combine VPN and Direct Connect for a hybrid setup?

Maddison Vasquez
6 months ago
Reply to  Dennis Harvey

Yes, you can use both for a hybrid network. The VPN can serve as a backup to Direct Connect for increased reliability.

Abigail Sanders
6 months ago

Setting up BGP with VPN and Direct Connect can be quite complex. Any tips?

Charline Martinez
6 months ago

Make sure to carefully configure the ASNs and monitor the route propagation in your VPC.

Batur Orbay
5 months ago

Using tools like AWS Transit Gateway can also simplify the BGP configuration process.

Sarah Edwards
6 months ago

Great post! Cleared up a lot of confusion for me.

Otto Erkkila
6 months ago

For those preparing for the ANS-C01, focusing on Direct Connect and VPN integration is key!

Ingvild Skogsrud
5 months ago
Reply to  Otto Erkkila

Absolutely, don’t forget to study the latency implications and fallback strategies.

Carl Jørgensen
6 months ago

The cost associated with using Direct Connect and VPN together can be high. Any cost-saving strategies?

Reinhard Lembke
5 months ago

Consider using lower-speed Direct Connect options and using VPN as a fallback to manage costs.

Berta Kempe
5 months ago

You can also schedule Direct Connect usage during peak times and switch to VPN during off-peak hours.

Valentino Lopez
6 months ago

Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

Eren Poçan
6 months ago

One thing to remember is to check the compatibility of hardware with VPN configurations.

Wendy Prieto
6 months ago
Reply to  Eren Poçan

Good point! Device compatibility is crucial, especially for failover scenarios.

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