Why Companies Love AWS Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

Choosing Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud computing or storage needs makes a lot of sense for many companies. Across many industries, companies are adopting cloud computing and storage services. These services replace localized data centers or company-run networks. Benefits of shifting to the cloud include cost savings, reliability, and network security.

It’s easy enough to get started with AWS. However, once you get your account set up, it is not uncommon to hit a bump, unsure what to do next. Configuring and managing all that AWS offers is not always a simple task. This can be especially true with their Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) service.

Setting up and configuring a VPC is the first step. This process helps ensure that your cloud environment is safe and performs as expected. AWS provides new accounts with a default VPC. However, this may not be enough for larger companies or more robust networking needs. In this article, we take some time to explore a VPC. We will explore how a VPC works and why it is relevant for an AWS networking environment.

Get Trained on AWS VPC

Focusing on learning the AWS VPC provides a solid baseline to expand your training to other cloud services. Starting at the source makes a lot of sense, and Amazon offers plenty of free and self-paced courses. AWS helps lower the barrier to training and certification with its flexible options. However, what they have in volume can seem somewhat daunting if you are unsure where to start.

We would be remiss not to point out our dedicated AWS Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) training course. Cloud administrators are the target market for this intermediate course. Training topics cover everything you need to know to launch, manage, configure, and troubleshoot a VPC. This course is for you if you have some experience working with AWS. It’s a good choice if you are a cloud administrator and want to validate your AWS skills.

What is AWS VPC

The AWS VPC is a virtual private network that behaves like a traditional network operated out of a data center. The VPC is dedicated to an AWS account and allows complete control over the virtual networking environment. Once established, users can add more AWS resources. Popular choices are the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) or a relational database service. Network traffic configured within the VPC uses geographically located resources, which helps lower cost-per-service.

There are two main ways to create, access, and manage a VPC. A popular method is through the web interface AWS Management Console. The AWS Command Line Interface is more traditional, which takes commands through instructions. A VPC works similarly to a conventional TCP/IP network. Like most services AWS offers, a VPC can scale up or down as needed or required. The main difference between an AWS VPC and a traditional network is that hardware like routers and switches exist in the cloud. Companies do not need to manage or maintain them when using cloud services.

Why is AWS VPC Important?

AWS offers cloud services that nearly remove the need for companies to own, maintain, or invest in hardware or data centers. With a VPC, companies can build a customizable virtual network. Customization allows companies to define the size of the network. Customization controls include resource usage or determining how the network connects to the internet.

An AWS VPC is considered a foundational service for the Compute and Networking categories. Some resources, such as Amazon EC2, require a VPC. A VPC can create and manage network services such as IPv4 and IPv6 address blocks, network/subnet security, and route tables.

Cloud services won’t completely replace the need for localized data centers for some companies. A VPC is a primary way to connect to a legacy data center. Similarly, one VPC may not be enough, or a company may communicate with other private networks. A VPC connects to these private networks. Additionally, there may be instances where some apps require services that will only work on a VPC.

A VPC can instill an added layer of network security as it is a logically isolated environment inside AWS. Companies can define the rules and policies for the VPC. Depending on the configuration, a company can limit exposure to the internet as needed. A VPC is not the only privacy and security tool required to safeguard a network. However, when set up correctly, a VPC effectively protects data and instances.

Top Reasons to Use AWS VPC

It may be an overstatement, but perhaps the best reason to use an AWS VPC is the cloud aspect. With a VPC, there’s no need to use a virtual private network (VPN), routers, or switches. If a VPC meets the networking requirements of a company, this nearly eliminates the need to own a local network and infrastructure.

Most companies or users may only have one AWS account. However, a single account is not limited to one VPC, no matter the global location. Geography determines AWS Regions around the globe, where Amazon has strategically located cloud data centers. This regionalization benefits companies that are geographically local or run a global enterprise.

Security is another top reason why many companies choose to use a VPC. The security combined with the flexible configuration of the VPC provides exceptional benefits. No matter the number of VPCs an account creates, all VPCs are isolated from each other. This isolation provides the added benefit of using the same private subnets, for example, among the VPCs.

How Organizations Benefit from AWS VPC

One of the main benefits of using an AWS VPC is a reliable and scalable cloud environment customized for any company. Creating more than one VPC allows added flexibility for companies to use different levels of cloud services and network capabilities.

Security concerns are at the forefront for both AWS and the companies that use their services. It is almost impossible to mitigate against data breaches completely. However, AWS has a strong track record of security. A VPC is a more secure, isolated environment than a private cloud or traditional network in many instances.

Some companies already have an established data center or computing and networking hardware investments. For a global company, perhaps a hybrid cloud already exists. AWS VPC is a great option to create a private channel to your data center or hybrid cloud.

Cloud-based services are becoming more of a norm rather than an alternative to meet a company’s computing and networking needs. AWS is the industry leader in this rapidly maturing sector.

Final Thoughts

AWS VPC is a foundational and customizable networking service designed to work as a traditional data center. VPC supports some of AWSs most popular services, such as EC2 and Relational Database Service. Every VPC includes security and data protection, which provides an additional layer of network protection. As a customizable virtual network, a VPC allows companies to configure network settings, for example, by choosing their IP address range.

There are many benefits to using a VPC, and from a professional IT perspective, perhaps more beneficial to seek training and certification. Becoming proficient in deploying, managing, and problem-solving within a VPC network environment are excellent skills to develop. CBT Nuggets is your industry training partner to learn all you need to become proficient with AWS VPC.