AWS Direct Connect Update – Connect in Seattle, Connect to GovCloud

You can use AWS Direct Connect to create a dedicated network connection from your datacenter, office, or colocation environment to AWS. Connections are always made to a particular Direct Connect location, and can run at either 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps.

We are making two important announcements today. First, we are opening up an AWS Direct Connect location in Seattle. Second, we are introducing AWS Direct Connect support for AWS GovCloud (US).

AWS Direct Connect in Seattle
AWS customers in the Pacific Northwest can now make use of the AWS Direct Connect location at the Equinix SE2 facility in Seattle. If you are running your own equipment in SE2 you can use Direct Connect to optimize the connection to AWS. If your equipment is located elsewhere, you will need to establish a connection from your location to an AWS Direct Connect location in order to connect to AWS.  The best way to do this is to work with an APN Partner that supports AWS Direct Connect. They will be happy to work with you to establish your connection.

AWS Direct Connect Support for AWS GovCloud (US)
Direct Connect now allows you to transfer data from any AWS Direct Connect location in the United States to AWS GovCloud (US). As you may know, this AWS Region was designed for the specific regulatory and compliance requirements of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Depending on your needs, you can also run unclassified workloads in AWS GovCloud (US) to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the Region.

To help you learn more about this exciting new aspect of AWS GovCloud (US), we have set up a pair of special online events:

• AWS GovCloud (US) Office Hours will run from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST on Tuesday, May 14th.
• The Introduction to AWS GovCloud (US) Region webinar will be held on May 15th at 1:30 PM EST.

Both of these events are free but space is limited and preregistration is recommended.

— Jeff;