Cloud Interconnect is a Google Cloud service that enables you to establish high-bandwidth, low-latency connections between your on-premises network and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This service is essential for hybrid cloud architectures where organizations need reliable, fast connectivity between …Cloud Interconnect is a Google Cloud service that enables you to establish high-bandwidth, low-latency connections between your on-premises network and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This service is essential for hybrid cloud architectures where organizations need reliable, fast connectivity between their data centers and cloud resources.
There are two primary types of Cloud Interconnect:
1. **Dedicated Interconnect**: This option provides a physical connection between your on-premises network and Google's network through colocation facilities. It offers connections of 10 Gbps or 100 Gbps per link, and you can bundle multiple links for higher capacity. Dedicated Interconnect is ideal for organizations with substantial data transfer requirements and who need consistent, predictable performance.
2. **Partner Interconnect**: This option allows you to connect through a supported service provider. It's suitable when your data center cannot physically reach a Google colocation facility or when you need lower bandwidth options (50 Mbps to 50 Gbps). Partner Interconnect provides flexibility for organizations that prefer working with existing network providers.
Key benefits of Cloud Interconnect include:
- **Reduced costs**: Traffic over Interconnect is billed at lower egress rates compared to internet-based transfers
- **Enhanced security**: Data travels through private connections rather than the public internet
- **Improved performance**: Lower latency and higher throughput for data-intensive applications
- **SLA-backed reliability**: Google provides service level agreements for uptime guarantees
When implementing Cloud Interconnect, you must configure VLAN attachments to connect your Interconnect connection to your Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) networks. You also need to set up Cloud Router for dynamic routing using BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to exchange routes between your on-premises network and GCP.
Cloud Interconnect is particularly valuable for enterprises running hybrid workloads, performing large-scale data migrations, or requiring consistent connectivity for mission-critical applications.
Cloud Interconnect: Complete Guide for GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam
Why Cloud Interconnect is Important
Cloud Interconnect is a critical networking service that enables organizations to extend their on-premises networks to Google Cloud Platform. Understanding this service is essential because:
• It provides lower latency and higher throughput compared to public internet connections • It offers more predictable network performance for hybrid cloud architectures • It can reduce egress costs significantly when transferring large amounts of data • It is fundamental for enterprises with strict compliance and security requirements
What is Cloud Interconnect?
Cloud Interconnect is a Google Cloud service that allows you to connect your on-premises infrastructure to Google's network. There are two main types:
1. Dedicated Interconnect • Provides a physical connection between your on-premises network and Google's network • Available in 10 Gbps or 100 Gbps circuits • Requires your network to physically meet Google's network at a colocation facility • Best for high-bandwidth, enterprise-grade connections • Supports up to 8 x 10 Gbps (80 Gbps) or 2 x 100 Gbps (200 Gbps) per interconnect
2. Partner Interconnect • Connects your on-premises network through a supported service provider • Available in capacities from 50 Mbps to 50 Gbps • Ideal when you cannot reach a Dedicated Interconnect colocation facility • More flexible deployment options • Lower bandwidth requirements supported
How Cloud Interconnect Works
Dedicated Interconnect Architecture: 1. You establish a physical connection at a Google colocation facility 2. Configure VLAN attachments to connect to your VPC networks 3. Set up BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) sessions for route exchange 4. Traffic flows through the dedicated physical links
Partner Interconnect Architecture: 1. Choose a supported service provider in your region 2. Order connectivity from the partner 3. Create VLAN attachments in Google Cloud Console 4. The partner provisions the connection on their side 5. Activate the connection once pairing keys are exchanged
Key Components: • VLAN Attachments - Logical connections that associate your interconnect with Cloud Router • Cloud Router - Provides dynamic routing using BGP • Interconnect Connection - The physical or partner-provided link
SLA Considerations: • 99.9% SLA requires redundant connections in a single metro • 99.99% SLA requires connections across two different edge availability domains
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Cloud Interconnect
Tip 1: Know When to Choose Each Type • Choose Dedicated Interconnect when: high bandwidth needs (10+ Gbps), you can access colocation facilities, need lowest latency • Choose Partner Interconnect when: cannot reach colocation facilities, need lower bandwidth (under 10 Gbps), faster deployment needed
Tip 2: Understand Bandwidth Thresholds • Dedicated Interconnect: minimum 10 Gbps circuits • Partner Interconnect: 50 Mbps to 50 Gbps • If a question mentions bandwidth under 10 Gbps, Partner Interconnect is likely the answer
Tip 3: Remember Cost Optimization Scenarios • Cloud Interconnect reduces egress costs compared to internet transfer • Questions about reducing data transfer costs often point to Interconnect solutions
Tip 4: Recognize SLA Requirements • Single connection = no SLA • Redundant connections in one metro = 99.9% SLA • Connections across two metros = 99.99% SLA
Tip 5: Distinguish from Other Connectivity Options • Cloud VPN: encrypted tunnels over public internet, lower cost, suitable for lighter workloads • Cloud Interconnect: dedicated private connectivity, higher performance, better for heavy data transfer • Peering: direct access to Google services, not for VPC connectivity
Tip 6: Watch for Keywords in Questions • 'Private connection' or 'not over public internet' suggests Interconnect • 'Cannot reach colocation facility' points to Partner Interconnect • 'Enterprise-grade' or 'high bandwidth' suggests Dedicated Interconnect • 'Hybrid connectivity' could be either VPN or Interconnect depending on requirements
Tip 7: Remember Prerequisites • Dedicated Interconnect requires physical presence at colocation facility • Both types require Cloud Router for BGP routing • VPC networks must exist before creating VLAN attachments
Common Exam Scenarios: • Migrating large datasets from on-premises: Consider Dedicated Interconnect for speed • Small branch office connectivity: Partner Interconnect or Cloud VPN • Mission-critical application with 99.99% SLA needed: Redundant Dedicated Interconnect across metros • Quick proof-of-concept hybrid setup: Cloud VPN first, then Interconnect for production