Overview

What Is Direct Connect?

Direct Connect establishes a dedicated connection between your data center and the cloud. You can use one connection to access cloud computing resources in different regions, helping build a secure and reliable hybrid environment.

Application Scenarios

You need a dedicated network connection between your data center and a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) to ensure high bandwidth, low latency, and robust security.

Components

There are three key components for you to use Direct Connect: connection, virtual gateway, and virtual interface.

• Connection

  A connection is a dedicated network connection between your on-premises data center and a Direct Connect location over a leased line provided by a carrier. You can request standard connections or hosted connections. If you are a partner, you can also request operations connections.

  A standard connection provides a port that is exclusive to you and allows you to have multiple virtual interfaces associated.

  A hosted connection allows multiple users to share one port. Partners provision hosted connections and specify VLANs for those connections. Each user can associate only one virtual interface with a hosted connection. If a partner has created an operations connection, you can request a hosted connection from the partner, who will allocate the VLAN and bandwidth to your hosted connection.

• Virtual gateway

  A virtual gateway is a logical gateway for accessing a VPC. A virtual gateway can be associated with only one VPC. Multiple connections can access the same VPC through a single virtual gateway.

• Virtual interface

  A virtual interface is an entrance for you to access VPCs through a leased line. A virtual interface associates your connection with a virtual gateway, which connects to a VPC so that your network can access the cloud.