Tech Matchups: Direct Connect vs Accelerated Site-to-Site VPN
Overview
AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated, private network connection between on-premises and AWS, ensuring consistent latency and high bandwidth.
Accelerated Site-to-Site VPN enhances standard VPN performance by routing IPsec tunnels through AWS Global Accelerator’s edge locations.
Both enable hybrid connectivity: Direct Connect for dedicated performance, Accelerated VPN for optimized internet-based links.
Section 1 - Performance and Latency
Direct Connect uses dedicated fiber—e.g., a 1 Gbps link with ~5ms latency from a data center to AWS. Offers consistent throughput, ideal for large transfers.
Accelerated VPN routes IPsec traffic via AWS edge locations—e.g., reducing latency from 50ms to 30ms for a VPN tunnel. Performance varies with internet conditions.
Scenario: Direct Connect for real-time analytics; Accelerated VPN for remote office access.
Section 2 - Cost and Setup
Direct Connect charges per port-hour ($0.30 for 1 Gbps in us-east-1) and data transfer ($0.02/GB out). Example: 1TB/month costs ~$236.40 ($216 port + $20.40 data).
Accelerated VPN adds Global Accelerator fees ($0.025/hour) to standard VPN costs ($0.05/hour VGW + $0.09/GB out). Example: 1TB/month costs ~$203.40 ($36 VGW + $75 GA + $92.40 data).
Direct Connect setup takes weeks (physical provisioning); Accelerated VPN setup takes minutes (software-based).
Scenario: Direct Connect for long-term links; Accelerated VPN for quick deployments.
Section 3 - Security and Reliability
Direct Connect offers private connectivity, reducing internet-based threats. Supports MACsec encryption for 10/100 Gbps links, ensuring data security.
Accelerated VPN uses IPsec (AES-256) over optimized internet paths, improving reliability over standard VPN but still reliant on ISP stability.
Scenario: Direct Connect for sensitive financial data; Accelerated VPN for secure app access. Direct Connect is robust; Accelerated VPN is enhanced.
Section 4 - Use Case Scenarios
Direct Connect suits high-bandwidth, latency-sensitive apps—e.g., large-scale backups or real-time data processing to AWS.
Accelerated VPN fits cost-effective hybrid setups—e.g., connecting branch offices to a VPC with improved performance over standard VPN.
Scenario: Direct Connect for a global ERP; Accelerated VPN for a regional CRM sync.
Section 5 - Comparison Table
| Aspect | Direct Connect | Accelerated VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Dedicated | Internet + Edge |
| Latency | Low (~5ms) | Improved (~30ms) |
| Cost | Port + Data | VGW + GA + Data |
| Setup | Weeks | Minutes |
| Best For | High-Performance | Cost-Effective Hybrid |
Direct Connect for performance, Accelerated VPN for optimized cost. Choose based on needs.
Conclusion
Direct Connect and Accelerated Site-to-Site VPN enable hybrid connectivity with distinct advantages. Direct Connect delivers dedicated, high-performance links for critical applications. Accelerated VPN enhances standard VPN with edge routing, offering a cost-effective, quick-to-deploy alternative.
Weigh performance (dedicated vs. optimized), cost (port vs. edge fees), and setup (weeks vs. minutes). Use Direct Connect for production, Accelerated VPN for flexible setups—or combine: Direct Connect for core, Accelerated VPN for failover.