Tech Matchups: Direct Connect vs VPN
Overview
AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated, private connection between on-premises networks and AWS, ensuring consistent latency and high bandwidth.
VPN establishes a secure, encrypted tunnel over the public internet between on-premises networks and AWS VPCs.
Both enable hybrid connectivity: Direct Connect for performance, VPN for flexibility.
Section 1 - Connectivity and Performance
Direct Connect uses dedicated fiber—e.g., a 1 Gbps link from a data center to an AWS Direct Connect location. Latency is ~5ms, bandwidth is consistent.
VPN uses public internet—e.g., IPsec tunnel over a 100 Mbps ISP. Latency varies (~20-50ms), bandwidth fluctuates based on internet conditions.
Scenario: Direct Connect for a data warehouse sync; VPN for a dev environment.
Section 2 - Cost and Setup
Direct Connect charges per port-hour ($0.30/hour for 1 Gbps in us-east-1) plus data transfer ($0.02/GB out). Example: 1TB/month costs ~$236.40 ($216 port + $20.40 data).
VPN is free for setup, with costs for data transfer ($0.09/GB out) and VGW hours ($0.05/hour). Example: 1TB/month costs ~$128.40 ($36 VGW + $92.40 data).
Direct Connect setup takes weeks (physical provisioning); VPN setup takes minutes (software-based).
Scenario: Direct Connect for long-term projects; VPN for quick connectivity.
Section 3 - Security and Reliability
Direct Connect offers private connectivity, reducing exposure to internet threats. Supports MACsec for encryption on 10/100 Gbps links.
VPN uses IPsec encryption (AES-256), securing data over the public internet. Relies on ISP reliability, risking packet loss.
Scenario: Direct Connect for sensitive financial data; VPN for general app access. Direct Connect is robust; VPN is resilient.
Section 4 - Use Case Scenarios
Direct Connect suits high-bandwidth, latency-sensitive apps—e.g., real-time analytics or large-scale backups to S3.
VPN fits cost-sensitive or temporary setups—e.g., remote access to a dev VPC or small-scale data transfers.
Scenario: Direct Connect for a hybrid cloud ERP; VPN for a test environment sync.
Section 5 - Comparison Table
| Aspect | Direct Connect | VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Dedicated | Public Internet |
| Latency | Low (~5ms) | Variable (~20-50ms) |
| Cost | Port + Data | Data + VGW |
| Setup Time | Weeks | Minutes |
| Best For | High-Performance | Flexible, Low-Cost |
Direct Connect for performance, VPN for agility. Choose based on bandwidth and budget.
Conclusion
Direct Connect and VPN enable hybrid cloud connectivity with different strengths. Direct Connect offers dedicated, high-performance links for large-scale or sensitive apps. VPN provides quick, cost-effective connectivity over the internet for flexible setups.
Weigh performance (low vs. variable latency), cost (port vs. data), and setup (weeks vs. minutes). Use Direct Connect for production, VPN for dev/test—or combine: Direct Connect for primary, VPN for backup.