Establishing private connectivity among cloud services

• Not all cloud resources will be part of your network
  • in AWS dynamo db (s3,….) is not part of your vpc
  • in Azure azsql (cosmos, …) is not part of your vnet
• We dont have access to the network to create a peering connections in those cases
• Even in this case we need private connectivity.

AWS VPC Endpoint

• This enables private connectivity for AWS Services to vpc using AWS Private link service.
• Endpoints are of two types
  • interface endpoint: a elastic network interface will be created in your vpc for an aws service
  • gateway endpoint: for s3 and dynamo db aws offers gateway point where we configure routing using route tables.

Azure

• Azure Private Link enables private connectivity for Azure services to virtual network
• Refer Here creating a private endpoint
• Creating a private link service

Edge (PoP) locations

• Both aws and azure have edge locations

Azure PoP Locations

Azure’s Network Point of Presence (PoP) locations serve several critical purposes within the Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN). Here’s an overview of their main functions and benefits:

Purpose of Azure CDN PoP Locations

1. Content Delivery Optimization
– Azure CDN PoPs are strategically positioned data centers that cache content closer to end-users. This geographical proximity reduces latency, allowing for faster content delivery when users request data, such as web pages, videos, or applications. By serving content from the nearest PoP rather than the origin server, Azure significantly enhances performance and user experience[1][2].

2. Load Distribution and Scalability
– The distributed nature of PoPs allows Azure to handle large volumes of traffic efficiently. During peak times, such as product launches or major events, the CDN can manage sudden traffic spikes without requiring additional infrastructure. This capability ensures that the origin servers are not overwhelmed by requests, thereby improving reliability[2][5].

3. Enhanced Security
– PoPs contribute to security by acting as a buffer between end-users and the origin servers. They can implement security measures like DDoS mitigation and custom domain HTTPS, thus protecting the origin from malicious attacks. Additionally, advanced rules can be set at the edge to manage requests and validate users[5].

4. Dynamic Content Acceleration
– While PoPs are primarily used for caching static content, they also optimize the delivery of dynamic content through various network enhancements. Techniques like route optimization help ensure that even non-cacheable content is delivered efficiently[2].

5. Global Reach and Redundancy
– With a vast network of 192 PoP locations across 109 metro cities worldwide, Azure CDN ensures that users from different geographic locations receive content quickly and reliably. This extensive coverage not only improves access speeds but also provides redundancy in case of regional failures or outages[1][2].

In summary, Azure CDN PoP locations are essential for optimizing content delivery speed, enhancing scalability and security, and ensuring a reliable user experience across the globe.

Citations:
[1] https://build5nines.com/azure-cdn-endpoint-interactive-map/
[2] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cdn/cdn-overview?toc=%2Fazure%2Ffrontdoor%2FTOC.json
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/AZURE/comments/v0yqj0/difference_between_edge_location_point_of/
[4] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cdn/cdn-pop-list-api
[5] https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/cdn/

Purpose of AWS Edge Locations

1. Content Delivery Optimization
– Edge Locations are strategically placed data centers that cache content closer to end-users, significantly reducing latency. By serving cached data from the nearest location, AWS ensures faster access to web applications, streaming content, and other online services, improving overall user experience[1][2].

2. Load Reduction on Origin Servers
– By caching frequently requested content at Edge Locations, AWS minimizes the load on origin servers. This not only enhances performance but also reduces bandwidth costs associated with transferring data from the origin server to users[2][3].

3. Support for Various AWS Services
– Edge Locations are integral to several AWS services, including Amazon CloudFront (a content delivery network), AWS Global Accelerator, and AWS Lambda@Edge. These services leverage Edge Locations to deliver both static and dynamic content efficiently, ensuring real-time processing and customization of data before it reaches the user[1][4].

4. Enhanced User Experience
– Applications utilizing Edge Locations can provide a seamless and responsive experience crucial for maintaining user engagement. The reduced latency and improved load times contribute to higher user satisfaction, especially for high-traffic websites and applications requiring real-time interactions[1][3].

5. Global Reach and Scalability
– With numerous Edge Locations distributed globally, AWS ensures that content is accessible regardless of users’ geographical locations. This distribution allows AWS to handle traffic spikes effectively without compromising performance, making it suitable for applications with varying demand[2][4].

6. Security Features
– Edge Locations also enhance security by providing features such as SSL/TLS encryption and DDoS protection through AWS Shield. This ensures secure and reliable content delivery while safeguarding against potential threats[1][3].

In summary, AWS Edge Locations are vital for optimizing content delivery, reducing latency, supporting various AWS services, enhancing user experience, ensuring global reach and scalability, and providing security features.

Citations:
[1] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/aws-edge-locations/
[2] https://coralogix.com/guides/content-delivery-network/aws-edge-locations/
[3] https://www.lastweekinaws.com/blog/what-is-an-edge-location-in-aws-a-simple-explanation/
[4] https://blog.awsfundamentals.com/aws-edge-locations

Hybrid Clouds

• Hybrid cloud setups will have connectivity needs between on-premises and cloud
• On a larger note we have two options
  • VPN (Internet)
  • Leased line (Not connected to internet)
• To provide private access from on-prem to AWS without usign internet aws offers DirectConnect and Azure offers Express route.

VPN Connections

• Site to Site VPN helps in establishing private connectivity over internet securely between two networks
  
• Next steps:
  • Understanding vpn between onprem and cloud (AWS/Azure)