Elastic Connection Platform

A Global Software-Defined Interconnection Platform for Multi-Cloud Agility

Overview

Elastic Connection Platform (ECP) is an SDN-based interconnection solution for globally distributed enterprises seeking secure and reliable premises to cloud, DC-to-cloud, and cloud-to-cloud private connectivity inside and outside of Mainland China.

Utilizing APIs and integrations to leading cloud service providers (CSPs) and exchange partners, ECP users can flexibly provision layer 2 or layer 3 connections to scale bandwidth on-demand from 85+ cloud on-ramps in 40+ key interconnection metros worldwide.

Features & Benefits

For companies to stay competitive in an increasingly always-on, digital world, IT departments need cloud networks built for agility and resiliency to be able to deliver value for the business.

With CTA’s Elastic Connection Platform, network teams get the confidence they need from key cloud nodes in the network so application response times stay snappy, bandwidth is being properly utilized and any failures or outages are avoided or quickly repaired.

Cost-effective way to reduce CAPEX without additional hardware investments needed and lower OPEX with SLA-backed reliability and performance, streamlined provisioning & pay-as-you-go monthly billing plans.

Scalability from 2M to 10G on ECP connections as requirements change, and extend VLANs to the cloud as needed to accommodate new sites or application workloads.

Fast delivery from 24 hours to turn up cloud-to-cloud connections (within ECP direct connect network), 3-7 working days for DC-to-cloud (within ECP direct connect network), 20-30 working days for on-prem-to-cloud deployments (if a local loop is required).

Extensive coverage and topology options from P2P, Hub and Spoke, Full mesh (Any-to-Any) with reach across 40 key cloud IPX metros globally, including Equinix Cloud Exchange data centers in 22 metros.

Trusted reliability and protection with end-to-end SLAs available.

Increased visibility with end-to-end real time monitoring as a default service.

Flexibility with either layer 2 and layer 3 connection architecture options to support multi-region, hybrid cloud environments.

Performance benefits from avoiding the public internet in China, and having automated failover on redundant connections as a part of the base service.

FAQS

What is ECP?

Elastic Connection Platform (ECP) is a global SDN-based cloud interconnection platform for companies requiring multi-region, multi-cloud connectivity solutions.

ECP simplifies cloud network management with a platform to quickly turn up and manage private connections to leading cloud service providers within the global ECP fabric.

Increase network agility and visibility from a self-service portal for monitoring, testing, provisioning and configuration management.  ECP’s management tools can be utilized for cloud-to-cloud,  DC-to-cloud, customer premises-to-cloud use-cases.

Additionally, features such as bandwidth on-demand and pay-as-you go billing, provides customers with a consumption model that helps align IT costs with business growth.

Can CTA Support Any-to-Any Connections?

ECP customers can easily deploy any-to-any topologies by connecting to the nearest ECP PoP using MSTP, Internet VPN and/or physical or virtual cross connections. For existing MPLS VPN customers, dedicated Layer 3 connections will be assigned on the MPLS VPN PE router for traffic between MPLS sites and public Cloud Service Provider (CSP) gateways.

How are P2P Connections Deployed?

For private cloud environments located in a data center which already has an ECP Point-of-Presence (PoP), a cross connect is required between the ECP PoP to the customer’s rack.  For on-prem environments a local MSTP is required to connect to the nearest ECP PoP. Customers use the ECP management portal to provision the cloud end connection using either a layer-2 or layer-3 ECP interconnect.

What are some RTTs between ECP Points of Presence?

The following Round trip times (RTTs) listed (as of January 2020) are subject to change and are not contractually binding.

Beijing – Los Angeles: 176ms

Beijing – Singapore: 97ms

Beijing – Hong Kong: 36ms

Beijing – Ashburn: 214

Beijing – Shanghai: 29 ms

Shanghai – Ashburn: 195ms

Shanghai – Singapore: 65ms

Shanghai – Tokyo: 27 ms

Shanghai – Hong Kong: 37 ms

 

 

How is AWS Connectivity Set-up?

For configurations on the AWS-end, CTA will create a virtual interface to customer based on the information provided by customer. The customer then creates a virtual gateway by logging into the AWS console portal, selecting Amazon default ASN as BGP ASN, and then bundling the virtual gateway to the border VPC.

For configurations on the ECP-end, CTA will create a virtual layer 2 link by SDN controller from AWS to the nearest ECP Point-of-Presence to the customer.

For user acceptance & Service Delivery, the customer will need to configure the connection IP in specific VLAN interface on DC or customer premises side, test the connection and then configure BGP. After passing a final end-to-end test, the customer accepts the circuit

How is GCP Connectivity Set-up?

ECP customers need to create the VPC and cloud router at first, including the Name, Network Information, Area and ASN.  After the VLAN and BGP is finished, the customer provides the key information to CTA or directly inputs it through the ECP self service portal.  CTA will complete the BGP configuration according the key information.  After BGP UP, the connection between Google Cloud and the DC will be established.

How are on-prem-to-cloud connections provisioned?

Option 1: Host in an ECP data center
Move or order new server for cloud environment in DC with ECP on-ramp access

Option 2: Buy a local loop
If customer’s hosting server is not located with ECP network, the customer would need to buy a local loop from an ISP or ask CTA to provision local loop as an end-to-end service.

Option 3: Use SD-WAN to quickly provision ECP
Deploy a SD-WAN CPE at branch office or data center and connect the SGW.  If it is a cloud environment, customers will need to provide VM to install the vCPE system.

Disclaimer

The information contained in China Telecom (Americas) Corporation (“CTA”) website is provided for informational purposes only. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL WARRANTIES—INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT —ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. All content available through this website is provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. CTA makes no warranty or representation regarding the quality, accuracy, or availability of the website or any of its content. CTA does not endorse, and is not responsible for any third-party content that may be accessed through our website.

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