Dynamic Routing Gateway
Definition
Oracle's central hub for connecting virtual cloud networks and on-premises networks, facilitating efficient data flow and connectivity.
Use Cases
- Zoom: Hybrid connectivity for enterprise workloads running in Oracle Cloud while maintaining connectivity to existing on-premises systems. — Zoom publicly stated it uses Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for capacity; a typical enterprise pattern for this scenario is to attach one or more VCNs to an OCI Dynamic Routing Gateway and connect the DRG to on-premises networks using IPSec VPN or FastConnect, then use route tables to control which subnets and networks can communicate. (Enables private, controlled network paths between cloud workloads and on-premises services, supporting scalable operations while keeping sensitive traffic off the public internet.)
- NHS (UK National Health Service): Secure connectivity between cloud-hosted applications and existing data center networks for healthcare systems. — NHS organizations have used OCI for certain workloads; a common regulated-industry implementation is to use an OCI DRG as the central routing point, connect to on-prem via FastConnect (or VPN where appropriate), and segment traffic using separate VCNs and DRG route tables to enforce least-privilege connectivity. (Improves security posture and operational reliability by centralizing routing and enabling network segmentation between environments.)
- FedEx: Enterprise network hub model to connect multiple cloud networks and on-premises sites for large-scale logistics applications. — FedEx has publicly referenced using OCI; in a hub-and-spoke design, teams commonly attach multiple VCNs (for shared services, apps, and data) to a DRG and connect corporate WAN/on-prem data centers through FastConnect, using DRG route distribution and route tables to manage reachability across spokes. (Simplifies network operations by reducing point-to-point connections and provides a scalable foundation for adding new networks and environments.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: AWS Transit Gateway
- Azure: Azure Virtual WAN (Virtual Hub)
- GCP: Network Connectivity Center
- OCI: Dynamic Routing Gateway (DRG)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between a Dynamic Routing Gateway (DRG) and a VCN peering connection?
- A DRG is a central routing hub that can connect many VCNs and also connect to on-premises networks (via VPN or FastConnect). VCN peering is a direct connection between two VCNs (local or remote). Peering is simpler for a small number of VCN-to-VCN connections, while a DRG is better when you need a hub-and-spoke design, multiple attachments, or hybrid connectivity.
- When should I use a Dynamic Routing Gateway (DRG)?
- Use a DRG when you need (1) connectivity between on-premises and OCI, (2) a hub to connect multiple VCNs without building many one-off peerings, (3) centralized routing control and segmentation using DRG route tables, or (4) a scalable network architecture where new VCNs and connections can be added with minimal redesign.
- How much does a Dynamic Routing Gateway (DRG) cost in OCI?
- OCI pricing depends on the specific connectivity you use with the DRG. The DRG itself is a routing construct, but you typically incur charges for services attached to it, such as FastConnect port/virtual circuit charges, VPN service charges (if applicable), and data egress/transfer costs. Always confirm current pricing in the official OCI pricing pages for DRG, FastConnect, VPN, and data transfer for your region.
Category: networking
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
See Also