AWS Direct Connect
Private connection to AWS
A private physical network connection from your data center/office to AWS through Direct Connect locations, without going over the Internet; stable bandwidth and predictable latency.
- Cost$$$ High
- Difficulty●●●●●
- Costs money when idle?Yes
- Managed by AWS
- In examsCLF · SAA · SOA
Think of it asLike a private water pipe running straight from your house to the plant instead of sharing the public mains.
When to use it
✓ Use it when
You need high, stable bandwidth between on-prem and AWS over the long term.
✗ Avoid it when
You need a connection within a few hours or at low cost → Site-to-Site VPN.
Common uses
- Regularly moving large volumes of data to AWS
- Hybrid cloud needing consistent latency
- Combined with VPN as a backup path
What does it cost?
- Pricing model: Charged per port hour by speed plus GB of data transferred out; plus partner/carrier circuit fees.
⚠️ Cost traps
Setup takes weeks and traffic is unencrypted by default — you need VPN or MACsec if required.
Related services
SAA-C03 study guide
Direct Connect is covered in these study modules: