AWS Direct Connect for Research & Education

AWS Direct Connect

Secure, private AWS connectivity for research and education

AWS partner network - cloud connect services students working on laptop

Connect directly to Amazon Web Services for consistent performance and cost control

Using AWS Direct Connect, you can establish direct, private network connections between your campus, data centre, or colocation environment and the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud over AARNet. This solution can reduce network costs, move data faster, and provide you with a more consistent network experience than internet-based connections.

Why AWS Direct Connect via AARNet?

AARNet provides cloud connectivity as part of its role operating Australia’s national research and education network, enabling institutions to choose the cloud platforms that best meet their needs.

AWS Direct Connect is offered as part of AARNet Cloud Connect, delivering dedicated, high-performance access to AWS for Australian research and education institutions.

AWS Direct Connect Delivery partner

Delivered over AARNet’s national research and education network, AARNet is a validated AWS Direct Connect Delivery Partner authorised to provision high-capacity connections greater than 500 Mbps.

Consistency

Provides a consistent network experience for accessing the business-critical applications and digital tools your staff, students, faculty and researchers rely on.

Flexibility

Choice of high-performing options for connecting your campus, data centre or colocation environment with AWS. We help you choose the right solution to match your needs.

Cost efficiencies

Leverages existing AARNet infrastructure, which can reduce network costs. Traffic is on-net and unmetered for AARNet customers. (AWS data charges may apply)

How AARNet connects your campus to Amazon Web Services (AWS) via Direct Connect — AARNet recommends connecting to multiple AWS Direct Connect locations for physical redundancy.

AWS Direct Connect Hosted Connection

AARNet delivers AWS Direct Connect Hosted Connections via existing AARNet ports into AWS, using AARNet Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to connect your campuses, data centres or colocation environments. VPN speeds of 200 and 500Mbps, as well as 1, 2, 5 and 10 Gbps are available and there is no contention between customers.

AWS Direct Connect Dedicated Connection

AARNet provisions AWS Direct Connect Dedicated Connections using physical Ethernet ports of 1 or 10Gbps, dedicated to a single customer. These require physical data centre cross-connects, so can be slower than hosted connections and more costly to provision.

IPSec VPN over the internet

AARNet enables IPSec VPN connectivity to AWS over the AARNet network for non-critical workloads, using its peering relationship with AWS to establish an encrypted virtual private network between your equipment and AWS Virtual Private Cloud. Using the IPSec protocol ensures the connection is encrypted and your data is secure.

Charges and fees

The following charges relate to AARNet connectivity services. AWS service charges are set independently by Amazon Web Services. “On-net” traffic refers to data that remains on the AARNet network, allowing high-performance, unmetered access for eligible research and education institutions.

AWS is committed to making it easier for researchers to use its services by waiving data egress fees for qualified researchers and academic customers. (Conditions and limits apply to this offer and customers are advised to confirm pricing directly with AWS)

Contact us for details

Ready to get connected?

For more information on how AARNet can help with your AWS Direct Connect requirements, please contact our team.

Contact us about AWS Direct Connect

Resources and related services

AWS Direct Connect is part of AARNet Cloud Connect and complements AARNet Internet and Private Connections by providing dedicated cloud access over the national research and education network.

If you’re comparing cloud connectivity options across providers, see AARNet Cloud Connect for an overview of all supported services.