Direct Connect

In the on-prem to AWS connectivity services lineup, AWS offers another network connectivity service called Direct Connect. Direct Connect provides a physical connection between the on-prem data center to AWS using an ethernet fiber optic cable. Using Direct Connect, the data can be exchanged securely without going over the public internet.

The customer on-premises network is connected to the AWS Direct Connect (DX) location, which is a physical location hosting ports for connectivity to AWS, which is further connected to the AWS public or private services.

Direct Connect offers physical connections of 1, 10, and 100 Gbps for connectivity from on-prem to the cloud. When a Direct Connect connection is created through the AWS console, a router port at the AWS DX site is ordered, which the customer must then physically connect to the on-premises network.