Getting started with IBM Cloud Direct Link
Use Direct Link to seamlessly connect your on-premises resources to your cloud resources. The speed and reliability of Direct Link extends your organization’s data center network and offers more consistent, higher-throughput connectivity, keeping traffic within the IBM Cloud network.
Direct Link highlights include:
- Free global routing with bring your own IP (BYIOP) support
- Flexible bandwidth options (1, 2, 5, and 10 Gbps)
- Integrated support for virtual routing, dynamic path selection, and VPC connectivity
- Metered billing with no price increase compared to Direct Link on Classic (1.0)
- Automated ordering experience through API integration with partners
Direct Link Dedicated
Terminate a single-tenant, fiber-based, cross-connect into your own IBM Cloud Private network connection. This offering is also used by colocation facilities that are next to IBM Cloud PoPs and data centers.
To get started with IBM Cloud Direct Link Dedicated, follow these instructions for ordering the service.
Direct Link Connect
Use a service provider to quickly establish and deliver connectivity to IBM Cloud locations. These service providers are already connected to the IBM Cloud network that uses multi-tenant, high capacity links (also known as network-to-network interfaces, or NNI).
To get started using IBM Cloud Direct Link Connect, follow these instructions for ordering the service.
Learn more
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IBM Cloud highly recommends that you establish a second, diverse direct link to prevent outages, whether unplanned, or planned due to maintenance. For more information, see Models for diversity and redundancy in Direct Link.
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If you require a diverse, redundant, or multi-cloud deployment for Direct Link Connect, see Alternatives for your Direct Link Connect deployment.
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For more information about Direct Link offerings, see the FAQs.
Currently, a migration path does not exist from Direct Link on Classic offerings to Direct Link. You must order a new Direct Link Dedicated or Direct Link Connect connection.