Service Highlights

Reduces Your Bandwidth Costs – If you have bandwidth-heavy workloads that you wish to run in AWS, AWS Direct Connect reduces your network costs into and out of AWS in two ways. First, by transferring data to and from AWS directly, you can reduce your bandwidth commitment to your Internet service provider. Second, all data transferred over your dedicated connection is charged at the reduced AWS Direct Connect data transfer rate rather than Internet data transfer rates.

Consistent Network Performance – Network latency over the Internet can vary given that the Internet is constantly changing how data gets from point A to B. With AWS Direct Connect, you choose the data that utilizes the dedicated connection and how that data is routed which can provide a more consistent network experience over Internet-based connections.

Compatible with all AWS Services – AWS Direct Connect is a network service, and works with all AWS services that are accessible over the Internet, such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), and Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC).

Private Connectivity to your Amazon VPC – You can use AWS Direct Connect to establish a private logical connection from your on-premise network directly to your Amazon VPC, providing you with a private, high bandwidth network connection between your network and your VPC. With multiple logical connections, you can even establish private connectivity to multiple VPCs while maintaining network isolation.

Elastic – AWS Direct Connect makes it easy to scale your connection to meet your needs. AWS Direct Connect provides 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps connections, and you can easily provision multiple connections if you need more capacity. You can also use AWS Direct Connect instead of establishing a VPN connection over the Internet to your Amazon VPC, avoiding the need to utilize VPN hardware that frequently can’t support data transfer rates above 4 Gbps.

Pricing

Pay only for what you use. There is no minimum fee.

AWS Direct Connect Ports

Pricing is per port hour.

Data Transfer*

* Data Transfer over AWS Direct Connect will be billed in the same month in which the usage occurred. Standard Internet Data Transfer usage incurred by using other AWS services will be charged the following month. For example, if you transfer 500 GB over AWS Direct Connect and 1500 GB over the Internet in June, you will be charged for 500 GB of Data Transfer at AWS Direct Connect rates on your June billing statement and 1500 GB of Data Transfer at Standard Internet Data Transfer rates on your July billing statement.

Resources

Developer Resources

view all

• Resources Home
• Release Notes
• Getting Started Guide
• Community Forum

Additional Product Information

• FAQs
• Amazon Web Services Customer Agreement
• Service Health Dashboard

Related Services

• Amazon EC2
• Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)
• Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
• AWS Premium Support

Detailed Description

When to use AWS Direct Connect

There are several use cases for which AWS Direct Connect is desirable, including:

Working with Large Data Sets: Transferring large data sets over the Internet can be time consuming and expensive. If you are like most businesses, you have procured just enough bandwidth to meet your web and email needs, and share that Internet connection across the entire enterprise. When you use the cloud, you can find that transferring large data sets can be slow because your business critical network traffic is contending for bandwidth with your other Internet usage. To decrease the amount of time required to transfer your data, you could increase the bandwidth to your Internet service provider, which frequently requires a costly contract renewal and a minimum commitment. With AWS Direct Connect, you can transfer your business critical data directly from your datacenter, office, or colocation environment into and from AWS bypassing your Internet service provider and removing network congestion. Further, AWS Direct Connect’s simple pay as-you-go pricing, and no minimum commitment means you pay only for the network ports you use and the data you transfer over the connection, which can greatly reduce your networking costs.

Real-time Data Feeds: Applications that use real-time data feeds can also benefit from using AWS Direct Connect. For example, applications such as voice and video perform best when network latency remains constant. Network latency over the Internet can vary given that the Internet is constantly changing how data gets from point A to B. With AWS Direct Connect, you control how your data is routed, which can provide a more consistent network experience over Internet-based connections.

Hybrid Environments: AWS Direct Connect can help you build hybrid environments that satisfy regulatory requirements requiring the use of private connectivity. Hybrid environments allow you to combine the elasticity and economic benefits of AWS with the ability to utilize other infrastructure that you already own.

AWS Direct Connect Locations

AWS Direct Connect is available at six locations around the world. The table below shows connectivity options to different AWS Regions.

Additional AWS Direct Connect locations are planned worldwide in 2012.

AWS Direct Connect Solution Providers

If you don’t have preexisting infrastructure at one of our AWS Direct Connect locations, don’t worry. AWS has a growing list of AWS Direct Connect Solution Providers who can assist you in using the AWS Direct Connect service. These AWS Direct Connect Solution Providers can help you establish network circuits between an AWS Direct Connect location and your datacenter, office, or colocation environment, or assist in constructing a hybrid environment.

	AboveNet, Inc. AboveNet, Inc. provides high bandwidth connectivity solutions for enterprise and carrier customers. Its private optical network delivers key network and IP services in and among the top U.S. and European markets. AWS customers can leverage AboveNet's established worldwide network which includes 2.3 million metro fiber miles and connections to more than 450 datacenters to extend their on-premise infrastructure to the AWS cloud.
	CoreSite CoreSite Realty Corporation (NYSE: COR) is a national provider of powerful, network-rich data centers, efficient interconnection services, and global peering opportunities. More than 700 customers such as Global 1000 enterprises, communications providers, cloud and content companies, financial firms, media and entertainment, healthcare, and Government agencies trust CoreSite to power, cool, connect, and secure their mission-critical IT assets. CoreSite data centers are catalysts for network growth, featuring established industry ecosystems with access to 200+ carriers and service providers resulting in more than 12,000 interconnections under management. The company tailors its data center product to unique customer requirements by way of a flexible offering that includes cage-to-cabinet colocation, private data centers and suites, and a responsive customer service and support infrastructure. CoreSite's portfolio comprises more than two million square feet, including space held for redevelopment and development, across 12 data centers in seven key U.S. economic centers. For more information, visit www.CoreSite.com.
	DBR360 DBR360 delivers advanced global telecommunications network solutions for enterprises, carriers and service providers. Partnering with customers, DBR360 leverages its Network as a Service (NaaS) approach to optimize existing network infrastructure to achieve business objectives. We simplify digital delivery of data by coordinating disparate service providers and technologies required for maximum impact. We provide end-to-end service and vendor management, with complete transparency, flexibility and visibility. DBR360 dramatically shortens digital workflows, ensures cloud continuity and delivers superior customer experience.
	Equinix, Inc. Equinix, Inc. connects businesses with partners and customers around the world through a global platform of high performance data centers, containing dynamic ecosystems and the broadest choice of networks. Platform Equinix connects more than 4,000 enterprises, cloud, digital content and financial companies including more than 675 network service providers to help them grow their businesses, improve application performance and protect their vital digital assets. Equinix operates in 38 strategic markets across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific and continually invests in expanding its platform to power customer growth.
	FiberLight FiberLight is a leading optical transport company providing Ethernet connectivity over its wholly owned $1 billion diversely constructed fiber network covering growing metros in the South, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Companies seeking mission critical, high performance network services including Ethernet, Wavelengths, Dedicated IP, SONET and Dark Fiber turn to FiberLight for customized solutions. FiberLight delivers scalability, low latency, redundancy, limitless bandwidth and secure transport to major commercial hubs, data centers, collocations, LANs, WANs, and cloud-enabled services. To learn more about the FiberLight solution visit www.fiberlight.com.
	Fiber Internet Center Fiber Internet Center, network focused since 2001. From 5 Meg to 1 Gigabit, a single fiber circuit saves money for both Internet and AWS access. We provide connectivity to AWS via AWS Direct Connect with QOS priority above your office Internet traffic. Few companies have been providing fiber services as long as Fiber Internet Center. Other networks have a large learning curve to over come before providing the level of proactive management that Fiber Internet Center provides. ISPs, VOIP providers and enterprise customers leverage Fiber Internet Center's network as their own. Your's should too.
	First Communications First Communications offers high-capacity long-haul and metro fiber network services as well as voice and data services across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic U.S. The company’s fiber network includes 5,600 fiber route miles, 250,000 fiber miles and more than 600 on-net wire centers. Its diverse, low-latency fiber network includes approximately 500 metro route miles reaching more than 50 Tier 1, 2 and 3 markets. As a result, a growing list of carrier and wholesale customers as well as large enterprises, financial organizations, schools, universities, health care providers and state and local governments rely on First Communications’ transport and Custom Private Network services to run critical business applications and transfer highly secure and confidential data.
	Global Telecom & Technology, Inc. (GTT) GTT is a global network services provider delivering innovative network solutions to enterprise, government and carrier customers in over 80 countries worldwide. Our Network as a Service philosophy enables AWS customers to acquire customized network infrastructure capable of both public and secure private networking, by leveraging our own network assets and those of our partners. GTT simplifies the network deployment process removing the complexity of multi-vendor solutions, providing end-to-end solution management with the cost efficiencies of a single partner.
	IX Reach IX Reach provides Direct Connect to AWS from 52 major carrier-neutral datacenters from its core network in 13 countries in Europe and North America, and can also connect your private office or datacenter in any country served by its network to the AWS Cloud. Flexible bandwidths can also be tailored to your needs; from 50Mb up to multiple 10GbE point to point and point to multipoint, with fractional speeds available too. IX Reach is a leading provider of connectivity and colocation services specializing in partnerships with content providers, Internet exchanges and colocation providers in key locations globally.
	KVH Co., Ltd. We own infrastructure and provide services that enable clients to store, process, protect and deliver their vital business information. These include standalone and , Data Center Services, Managed Services, Ethernet, IP, Voice Services and Professional Services.
	Level 3 Communications, Inc. Level 3 Communications is a premier global provider of state-of-the-art data, voice, video and managed solutions, serving enterprise, content, government and wholesale customers. With our highly reliable and secure network, we enable stronger connections around the globe by delivering integrated IP solutions that address customers’ needs for scalability, flexibility and efficiency. Leveraging our expansive metro footprint and global reach, our team of dedicated people exemplifies our commitment to partnership. We focus on understanding customers’ business challenges, building relevant worldwide network solutions, and delivering a seamless, industry-leading customer experience
	Nomura Research Institute (NRI) NRI was born from the merger of the former Nomura Research Institute, Japan’s first think tank in the private sector, with Nomura Computer Systems Co., the pioneer in systems integration. The DNA inherited from our predecessors has been integrated in NRI and is at work in its business activities that are one step ahead of the times-manifested in our ability to create a vision of the future and put proposals forward to the society at large and its commitment to quality perceived from a client standpoint. In the systems construction to utilize the cloud services of Amazon Web Services, NRI provide advanced solution by taking advantage of the experience of the systems development in the sectors of finance and distribution for many years. We propose the most suitable system for a user company after having ascertained characteristics of the public cloud computing service. Furthermore, from systems development to management of service operation, we provide a total solution of high quality. For more information, visit http://www.nri.co.jp/ (in Japanese) or http://www.nri.co.jp/english/ (in English)
	NTT Communications Corporation NTT Communications provides a broad range of global networks, management solutions and IT services to customers worldwide. The company is renowned for reliable, high-quality security; hosting, voice, data and IP services; expertise in managed networks; and leadership in IPv6 transit technology. Our extensive infrastructure includes Arcstar Global IP-VPN Service, Global e-VLAN, a Tier-1 IP backbone reaching more than 150 countries in partnership with major Internet service providers, and secure data centers in Asia, North America and Europe.
	Smart421 Smart421 – part of the KCOM Group plc - delivers high-end consultancy, integration and management of business-critical systems for large enterprises. It provides onshore IT services for complex and bespoke projects on-premise and in the Cloud. The company is best known for its work with financial institutions, telcos, energy utilities, transportation, media and retail. The company is an AWS Solution Provider and an AWS Direct Connect Solution Provider. Among its recent engagements, Smart421 has been architecting delivering solutions for major UK enterprises including a power utility, a mobile telco and a UK retail bank. For a complimentary 45-minute introduction at your offices or via conference call, please email us today at cloud@smart421.com.
	Softbank Telecom Corp. SOFTBANK TELECOM offers high-quality and stable communication service with over a 20-year history. We aim to bring comprehensive solutions to our customers to create new work styles and lifestyles in collaboration with our Group companies. Utilization of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is becoming an even more important factor for companies to enhance their market competitiveness. ICT is evolving from a mere tool for cost reduction and efficiency to solutions of various management issues in a sophisticating business environment. Taking advantage of synergies with communications companies of the SOFTBANK Group such as SOFTBANK MOBILE and SOFTBANK BB, SOFTBAK TELECOM offers customer-oriented innovative services to corporate customers through establishment of a full-fledged mobile Internet environment and promotion of FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence).
	TelecityGroup TelecityGroup is Europe's industry-leading provider of carrier-neutral data centres. TelecityGroup specialises in the design, build and management of highly connected, resilient and secure environments in which customers can house their telecoms, internet and IT infrastructure. Headquartered in London, TelecityGroup’s data centres are located in the key European connectivity hubs. A TelecityGroup data centre is a thriving, connected, digital ecosystem providing direct access to a wide choice of telecoms and content distribution networks, key internet exchange points, and cloud hubs, all of which facilitate the sharing, distribution and storage of data, content, applications and media. TelecityGroup is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: TCY)
	tw telecom tw telecom is a leading provider of managed Ethernet services and enables customers to connect to their cloud environments across town or across the country. Our Ethernet platform provides resilient, highly scalable solutions for customers looking for connection speeds from 1Meg to 10Gigs. tw telecom can quickly scale these connections to support customers changing connectivity needs, allowing them to deploy new environments in hours versus weeks. tw telecom has been a leader in delivering managed services, including Ethernet, IP VPN and Converged solutions for years. With direct connections to more than 14,300 commercial buildings and 300+ data centers, tw telecom bridges the gap between customer locations and the content and IT infrastructure they need to run their business. With so many fiber connections to customers, tw telecom delivers 10Gig capable, low-latency infrastructure that meets any cloud connectivity requirement. In addition, tw telecom has over 750,000 businesses within easy reach of our network. tw telecom can provide an end-to-end solution to any business. For more information, visit www.twtelecom.com

Getting Started

To use AWS Direct Connect, you simply:

• Decide how many connections you would like to use, and the port size. Multiple ports can be used simultaneously for increased bandwidth or redundancy.
• Complete the AWS Direct Connect interest form indicating your choices. If you don’t already have infrastructure at your selected AWS Direct Connect location, you may optionally indicate on the form that you would like to be contacted by an AWS Direct Connect Solution Provider.
• You will be contacted by an AWS representative to review your request (usually within one business day).
• Once your request is confirmed, you will receive an email which contains a Letter of Authorization – Connecting Facility Assignment (LOA-CFA).
• Provide the LOA-CFA to an AWS Direct Connect Solution Provider or your telecommunications provider who will establish the network connection on your behalf.
• Once the connection is up, configure one or more logical connections to establish network connectivity.

Additional Resources

If you would like to discuss your specific application or requirements with an Amazon Web Services sales representative, please contact us.

Intended Usage and Restrictions

Your use of this service is subject to the Amazon Web Services Customer Agreement.