Introduction to Interconnections¶
As a part of Platform Equinix, your Equinix Metal™ infrastructure can connect with other parties such as public cloud providers, network service providers, or your own colocation cages in Equinix. We offer three options for these Interconnections, Fabric Virtual Connections - Metal Billed, Fabric Virtual Connections - Fabric Billed, and Dedicated Ports.
For Fabric Virtual Connections, an Equinix Fabric account and access to the Fabric portal is required. If you do not already have an account, you can follow the set up on the New User Equinix Fabric Portal Access page from the Equinix docs. There is also a video walk through available.
Fabric Virtual Connections - Fabric Billed also require that you have a Fabric billing account for Network Edge devices or Fabric port charges.
Your use-case for Dedicated Ports may also require a Fabric billing account, or if you are using Cross-Connects, you will need an account with the Equinix Customer Portal.
Availability¶
Interconnections are available in all Equinix Metal Metros. When you go to request a new Interconnection, you will select the Metro where you would like it to live. It should be the same Metro as the Equinix Metal servers and VLANs that you will use to connect to it.
If you are using Fabric Virtual Connections - Metal Billed, then it should also be the same metro where you are connecting to lives. Fabric Virtual Connections - Fabric Billed and Dedicated Ports have options for connecting to other metros.
Fabric Virtual Connections - Metal Billed¶
Make a connection from Equinix Metal to other Cloud Service Providers on Fabric in the same metro, without the need for a Network Edge device. You select the speed and bandwidth of the connection in Equinix Metal, with options between 50 Mbps to 10 Gbps. All usage is billed hourly, and all charges for Fabric Virtual Connections - Metal Billed will appear on your Equinix Metal invoice. Rates can be found on the Interconnections product page.
Fabric Virtual Connections - Fabric Billed¶
Make a connection from your Fabric ports or Network Edge devices to Equinix Metal, either within the same metro or across metros. Use-cases include using a Network Edge as a router for your Equinix Metal services or connecting Equinix Metal to a cloud service provider across Metros. You select the speed and bandwidth of the connection in Equinix Fabric. All usage, Network Edge, and virtual device charges will appear on your Equinix Fabric account.
Dedicated Ports¶
Make dedicated connections between your own physical Fabric ports, colocation cage/cabinet, or Cross Connects and Equinix Metal. Use-cases include connecting to a 3rd-party Network Service Provider or appearing as a cloud service provider on Fabric so that other Equinix customers can make private connections to you. Dedicated ports are billed on Equinix Metal with a non-recurring charge for setup and a monthly recurring charge for usage. Rates for these charges can be found on the product pages. Any associated Fabric port charges or Cross Connect charges will appear on your Equinix Fabric or Equinix Customer accounts.
Choosing Your Interconnection Model¶
Here's a quick overview of the steps involved in implementing various Interconnection use-cases to help you determine which might best suit your needs.
Case 1. Connecting to a Public Cloud Provider in the Same Metro¶
- Request a new Fabric Virtual Connections - Metal Billed in the Equinix Metal console.
- Redeem the a-side service token in the Fabric portal.
- Select the cloud service provider as the "to" side (z-side) of the connection from Equinix Metal.
- Complete the networking setups for both Equinix Metal and the cloud service provider.
Case 2. Connecting to a Cloud Service Provider through a Network Edge Device¶
- If you don't already have one, create a Network Edge Device (such as Cisco CSR) in the Fabric Portal. See the Network Edge Deployment and Configuration Guide for details.
- Request a new Fabric Virtual Connection - Fabric Billed in the Equinix Metal console.
- Redeem the z-side service token from Equinix Metal in the Fabric portal.
- Setup the your Network Edge Device as the “from” side (a-side) of the connection to Equinix Metal.
- Setup the Network Edge Device to the cloud service provider connection in Fabric Portal, by selecting the Public Cloud Provider (for example, AWS) as your “connect to” side (Z-side) and the same Network Edge Device above as the “from” side (a-side).
- Complete the networking setups on both Equinix Metal and the cloud service provider.
Case 3. Connecting to my Equinix IBX Colocation Infrastructure¶
- Request a new Interconnection with a Dedicated Port in the Equinix Metal console.
- Order a Cross-Connect through the Equinix Customer Portal.
- When the order is completed (may take up to 10 to 15 business days), please verify in the Equinix Metal console that the Port is “Active” and the link state is “Up”.
- You can then create virtual circuits in the Equinix Metal console and continue your VLAN setups in Equinix Metal and on your colocation switching devices.
Case 4. Connecting to a 3rd-party Networking Service Provider¶
- Request a new Interconnection with a Dedicated Port in the Equinix Metal console.
- Order a Dedicated Port in the Fabric portal.
- Once the Fabric Dedicated Port order is completed, create a connection in Fabric Portal by selecting the Networking Service Provider (NSP) as your “connect to” point (Z-side) and the Port you ordered from Equinix Metal as the “from” point (A-side).
- You’ll need to then follow the recommendations from the NSP to set up your Layer 2 connections.