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Direct Connect Termination

 

what

What all different options are available to terminate Direct Connect link at AWS?

In AWS, Direct Connect (DX) is a dedicated network connection that allows you to establish a private connection between your data center or office and AWS. When terminating a Direct Connect link, you have several options depending on your network architecture and requirements. Here are the different termination options:

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1. **AWS Transit Gateway**
Gateway
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Description:** You can terminate your Direct Connect connection on an AWS Transit Gateway. This allows you to connect multiple VPCs and on-premises networks through a central hub.
   - **Use Case:**Case: Useful when you have multiple VPCs or want to interconnect your on-premises network with multiple AWS regions.

### 2. **Virtual Private Gateway**
   - **Description:** Terminate the Direct Connect link on a Virtual Private Gateway (VGW) attached to a single VPC.
   - **Use Case:** This is the traditional and simplest method, ideal for connecting a single on-premises network to a single VPC.

### 3. **Direct Connect Gateway**
   - **Description:** Use a Direct Connect Gateway to terminate the connection, which can then be used to connect to multiple VPCs in different AWS regions.
   - **Use Case:** Useful for global interconnectivity across different regions while managing fewer physical connections.

### 4. **Private Virtual Interface (VIF)**
   - **Description:** A Private VIF can be created to connect to a single VPC through a VGW or a Transit Gateway. This interface handles private network communication.
   - **Use Case:** Used when you need a direct connection between your on-premises network and a specific VPC.

### 5. **Public Virtual Interface (VIF)**
   - **Description:** A Public VIF allows you to connect to AWS public endpoints (like S3, EC2, etc.) without going over the public internet.
   - **Use Case:** Suitable when you want to access public AWS services from your on-premises network securely.

### 6. **Hosted Connection**
   - **Description:** In a hosted connection, a partner provisions the Direct Connect link for you. The termination of such a connection could be on a Virtual Private Gateway, Transit Gateway, or Direct Connect Gateway.
   - **Use Case:** Often used when you don't need or want to manage the physical connection yourself, leveraging a partner’s infrastructure instead.

### 8. **Colocation with AWS Partner**
   - **Description:** In some cases, termination happens at a colocation facility operated by an AWS Partner, where your equipment and AWS Direct Connect equipment are colocated.
   - **Use Case:** Beneficial when you want a shorter path to AWS by colocating your networking equipment with AWS Direct Connect endpoints.

### 9. **Customer Router Interface (CPE)**
   - **Description:** The termination could happen at your Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) router, which interfaces with AWS Direct Connect.
   - **Use Case:** Necessary when you need control over the termination equipment and connection management on your premises.

Each option has specific use cases and benefits depending on your organization's needs for network architecture, redundancy, and regional interconnectivity.

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