Network Design and Edge Services on AWS
This content is from the lesson "3.4.1 Network Design and Edge Services" in our comprehensive course.
View full course: AWS Solutions Architect Associate Study Notes
Network Design and Edge Services are critical components for building high-performing, globally distributed applications on AWS.
This blog covers network architecture design, edge networking services, global acceleration, and network connection options.
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How It Works & Core Attributes:
Network Architecture Design:
Design Fundamentals:
- What Network Design is: The process of planning and implementing network infrastructure to support application requirements. Network design considers performance, security, scalability, and cost factors
- Network Topology: The physical and logical arrangement of network components. Common topologies include hub-and-spoke, mesh, and hybrid architectures that combine multiple approaches
- IP Addressing Strategy: Planning IP address allocation to support current and future growth. This includes subnet design, CIDR notation, and address space management
Network Segmentation:
- Subnet Design: Dividing network address space into logical segments for different purposes. Subnets can be organized by function (web, application, database) or by environment (dev, test, prod)
- Route Tables: Controlling traffic flow between subnets and external networks. Route tables determine how packets are forwarded and can implement traffic engineering
- Network Security: Implementing security controls at the network level. This includes security groups, network ACLs, and network-level monitoring
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Edge Networking Services:
CloudFront Fundamentals:
- What CloudFront is: A global content delivery network (CDN) that delivers content to users with low latency and high transfer speeds. CloudFront caches content at edge locations worldwide
- Edge Locations: Points of presence (PoPs) located close to end users. Edge locations cache content and reduce latency by serving content from locations closer to users
- Origin Optimization: CloudFront can optimize delivery from various origins including S3, Application Load Balancer, EC2 instances, and custom origins
CloudFront Features:
- Cache Behaviors: Define how different types of content are cached and served. You can configure different cache behaviors for different file types, paths, or user agents
- Compression: CloudFront automatically compresses certain file types to reduce bandwidth usage and improve transfer speeds
- SSL/TLS Support: CloudFront supports HTTPS connections and can terminate SSL/TLS connections at the edge
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AWS Global Accelerator:
Global Accelerator Fundamentals:
- What Global Accelerator is: A networking service that improves the availability and performance of your applications with local or global users. Global Accelerator uses AWS's global network infrastructure
- Static IP Addresses: Global Accelerator provides static IP addresses that act as a fixed entry point to your application. These IP addresses don't change even if you modify your application architecture
- Traffic Management: Global Accelerator routes traffic to the optimal endpoint based on health, geography, and routing policies
Performance Benefits:
- Reduced Latency: Global Accelerator routes traffic over AWS's global network backbone, reducing latency compared to internet routing
- Improved Availability: Global Accelerator automatically routes traffic to healthy endpoints and can fail over between regions
- Health Checking: Global Accelerator continuously monitors the health of your endpoints and routes traffic only to healthy instances
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Network Connection Options:
VPN Connections:
- AWS VPN: A managed VPN service that provides secure connectivity between your on-premises network and AWS. AWS VPN supports both site-to-site and client VPN connections
- VPN Gateway: A managed service that provides VPN connectivity to your VPC. VPN Gateway supports both static and dynamic routing
- VPN Performance: AWS VPN provides high-performance connectivity with support for multiple tunnels and automatic failover
Direct Connect:
- What Direct Connect is: A network service that provides a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS. Direct Connect bypasses the internet and provides consistent network performance
- Connection Types: Direct Connect supports 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps connections. You can also use Direct Connect Gateway to connect to multiple VPCs and regions
- Performance Benefits: Direct Connect provides consistent, low-latency connectivity and can reduce bandwidth costs compared to internet-based connections
AWS PrivateLink:
- What PrivateLink is: A technology that enables you to privately connect your VPC to supported AWS services, other AWS VPCs, or on-premises applications. PrivateLink provides secure, private connectivity
- VPC Endpoints: Private connections between your VPC and AWS services without requiring an internet gateway, NAT device, VPN connection, or AWS Direct Connect
- Security Benefits: PrivateLink keeps traffic within the AWS network and doesn't require public IP addresses or internet gateways
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Analogy: A Global Transportation Network
Imagine you're designing a global transportation network that efficiently moves people and goods worldwide.
Network Architecture Design: Your transportation infrastructure with highways, local roads, and traffic management systems. The network is designed to handle different types of traffic efficiently.
Edge Networking Services: Your network of local distribution centers that store frequently requested items close to customers. These centers reduce delivery times and improve customer satisfaction.
AWS Global Accelerator: Your express delivery system that uses dedicated routes to bypass congested public roads. The system provides consistent, fast delivery regardless of traffic conditions.
Network Connection Options: Your various transportation methods including public roads, private highways, and secure tunnels. Each method offers different levels of speed, security, and cost.
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Common Applications:
- Global Web Applications: Applications that need to serve users worldwide with low latency and high availability
- Content Delivery: Media streaming, software distribution, and static content delivery to global audiences
- E-commerce Platforms: Online stores that need fast, reliable access for customers worldwide
- Gaming Applications: Multiplayer games that require low-latency connections for real-time gameplay
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Quick Note: The "Network Performance Foundation"
- Design networks with scalability and performance in mind from the beginning
- Use edge services to reduce latency and improve user experience
- Choose the right connection options based on your performance and security requirements
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