Get to know more about AWS virtual private cloud

AWS virtual private cloud allows you to launch AWS resources into a virtual network which are defined by you. This virtual network resembles a traditional network which means you can operate it in your own data centre, with the profits of using the scalable infrastructure.

AWS virtual private cloud brings plenty of advantages to the table, including 

i. Static private IP addresses, 
ii. Elastic Network Interfaces, 
iii. Secure bastion host setup, 
iv. DHCP options
v. Advanced Network Access Control 
vi. Predictable internal IP ranges 
vii. VPN connectivity
viii. Movement of internal NICs and IPs between instances
ix. Heightened security

Features of AWS virtual private cloud

1. Secure

AWS offers advanced security features, such as network access control lists and security groups, to enable inbound and outbound filtering at the subnet level. In addition, you can keep your data safe in S3 and restrict access as well. For more security, you can create dedicated instances which are physically remote from other AWS accounts, at the hardware level.

 2. Simple

Create a VPC quickly and AWS Management Console. Select from the common network and find out the best match for your requirement. Subnets, route tables, IP ranges, and security groups are repeatedly created. You need to invest less time setting up and managing, so you can invest the saved time on building the applications which run in your VPCs.

 3. Customizable

Access your virtual networking environment, including the creation of subnets, selection of your own IP address range, and configuration of route tables or network gateways. Customize the network configuration by creating a public-facing subnet for web servers that are on the internet, and place your backend systems such as a database.

 4. Gateways

AWS Virtual private cloud makes use of three different kinds of gateways, and if you insert NAT then it is considered as four gateways. The one is used for connectivity to the IPV4 as well as the Egress-only gateway. The second one is to utilize for Virtual Private Gateway (VPG) to serve with VPN or Direct Connect. For non-AWS networks, this provides CGW and the NAT gateway is employed for multiple purposes.

How to Check the Security of Your VPC

Given the importance of AWS virtual private cloud, whenever we hire a new client, we always check for their VPC weather is truly private. We review all the steps taken by them and then evaluate how the VPC subnets are configured. We then advise what to do or also adjust the configuration—we usually work faster and make sure it’s correct!

Those who want to try this, here’s a checklist to do:

Pre-check to evaluate if the default VPC is being used: we advice spinning up a new VPC to avoid CIDR conflicts if you ever want to connect two VPCs

1. Check the number of subnets.
2. Are there public and private subnets?
3. Check the route tables:
4. Are they across multiple AZs?
5. Are public and private subnets are using the same route table?
6. Does the private subnet use an internet gateway instead of a NAT gateway?

Choose the proper VPC configuration for your organization

Best practices can be started from the foundation, so you need to find the right architecture for your VPC implementation. You need to keep in mind the specific requirements which you think can be needed in the future.

It is recommended to design your AWS virtual private cloud based on your expansion requirements for the upcoming two years.

There is various Amazon VPC setup available, including:

1. Public and Private VPC
2. Public-Facing VPC
3. Amazon VPC – Private Hardware and Subnets VPN Access
4. Amazon VPC – Public and Private Subnets and Hardware VPN Access

Software-based VPN access 

You can select one of the configurations which suit best as per your current and future requirements. We’ve covered a lot in this best practices guide for AWS virtual private cloud implementations.

Always remember to check out Cloud AWS Solutions Architect Associate learning path. You’ll acquire everything there which you need to know about developing scalable and sustainable AWS architectures, as well as gain a mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the exam.

About This Author

anu Joined: July 3rd, 2020