Cloud Interconnect
Definition
Google Cloud service that provides private connectivity between your on-premises network and Google's network for enhanced performance and security.
Use Cases
- Spotify: Move large-scale data and analytics workloads between on-premises/colocation environments and Google Cloud with predictable network performance. — Spotify has publicly discussed using Google Cloud for parts of its data platform. In practice, companies with similar hybrid architectures commonly use Dedicated Interconnect via a colocation facility, establish BGP sessions to Cloud Router, and segment traffic with VLAN attachments to reach VPC networks used by data processing systems. (More consistent throughput for bulk data transfers and reduced dependence on internet variability, supporting reliable batch pipelines and time-sensitive analytics.)
- The Home Depot: Hybrid connectivity for enterprise applications and data movement between corporate data centers and Google Cloud. — The Home Depot has publicly discussed using Google Cloud. A typical enterprise implementation uses Partner Interconnect through a supported service provider, BGP to advertise on-prem routes to Google Cloud, and separate VLAN attachments for different environments (prod/dev) to enforce network segmentation. (Improved network reliability for cloud migrations and ongoing hybrid operations, enabling faster and more predictable access to cloud-hosted services.)
- Evernote: Large-scale data migration and ongoing hybrid connectivity while operating services on Google Cloud. — Evernote has publicly discussed its move to Google Cloud. For sustained private connectivity, organizations commonly use Interconnect (Dedicated or Partner depending on location and capacity needs) with Cloud Router for dynamic routing and redundant circuits for high availability. (More stable connectivity for data transfer and service operations, reducing risk during migration and improving consistency for backend system communication.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: AWS Direct Connect
- Azure: Azure ExpressRoute
- GCP: Cloud Interconnect
- OCI: OCI FastConnect
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between Cloud Interconnect and Cloud VPN?
- Cloud Interconnect provides private connectivity into Google’s network using dedicated or provider-managed circuits, typically offering higher and more consistent throughput and lower latency than the public internet. Cloud VPN encrypts traffic over the public internet (or over Interconnect as an additional layer) and is usually faster to set up but can have more variable performance. Many architectures use Interconnect as the primary path and Cloud VPN as a backup.
- When should I use Cloud Interconnect?
- Use Cloud Interconnect when you need reliable, high-throughput connectivity between on-premises and Google Cloud—such as large data transfers, hybrid application architectures, disaster recovery replication, or latency-sensitive enterprise workloads. It’s also a good fit when you want predictable network performance and private routing that doesn’t traverse the public internet.
- How much does Cloud Interconnect cost?
- Costs typically include (1) Interconnect port or attachment charges (Dedicated Interconnect ports or Partner Interconnect VLAN attachments), (2) data transfer/egress charges depending on traffic direction and destination, and (3) any provider/colocation fees (especially for Partner Interconnect or when using a colocation facility). Pricing varies by region, capacity, and redundancy design (for example, dual links in different edge availability domains). Always estimate using Google Cloud pricing for Interconnect and Network egress, plus your carrier’s circuit costs.
Category: networking
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
See Also