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AWS Documentation » AWS Direct Connect » User Guide » AWS Direct Connect Connections » Creating a Connection

Creating a Connection

You can create a standalone connection, or you can create a connection to associate with a LAG in your account. If you associate a connection with a LAG, it's created with the same port speed and location as specified in the LAG.

If you do not have equipment at an AWS Direct Connect location, first contact an AWS partner at the AWS Partner Network (APN). For more information, see APN Partners Supporting AWS Direct Connect.

To create a new connection

  1. Open the AWS Direct Connect console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/directconnect/.

  2. In the navigation bar, select the region for the connection.

  3. In the navigation pane, choose Connections.

  4. Choose Create Connection.

  5. In the Create a Connection dialog box, set the following values, and then choose Create:

    1. For Connection Name, type a name for the connection.

    2. For LAG Association, specify whether the connection is standalone, or if it should be associated with a LAG. If you associate the connection with a LAG, select the LAG ID.

    3. For Location, select the appropriate AWS Direct Connect location.

    4. If applicable, for Sub Location, choose the floor closest to you or your network provider. This option is only available if the location has meet-me rooms (MMRs) in multiple floors of the building.

    5. Select the port speed that is compatible with your existing network.

To create a connection using the command line or API

Downloading the LOA-CFA

After AWS has processed your connection request, you can download the Letter of Authorization and Connecting Facility Assignment (LOA-CFA).

To download the LOA-CFA

  1. Open the AWS Direct Connect console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/directconnect/.

  2. In the navigation pane, choose Connections.

  3. Choose Actions, Download LOA-CFA.

    Note

    If the link is not enabled, the LOA-CFA is not yet available for you to download. Check your email for a request for more information. If it's still unavailable, or you haven't received an email after 72 hours, contact AWS Support.

  4. In the dialog box, optionally type the name of your provider to have it appear with your company name as the requester in the LOA-CFA. Choose Download. The LOA-CFA is downloaded to your computer as a PDF file.

  5. Send the LOA-CFA to your network provider or colocation provider so that they can order a cross connect for you. The contact process can vary for each colocation provider. For more information, see Requesting Cross Connects at AWS Direct Connect Locations.

The LOA-CFA expires after 90 days. If your connection is not up after 90 days, we send you an email alerting you that the LOA-CFA has expired. To refresh the LOA-CFA with a new issue date, download it again from the AWS Direct Connect console. If you do not take any action, we delete the connection.

Note

Port-hour billing starts 90 days after you created the connection, or after the connection between your router and the AWS Direct Connect endpoint is established, whichever comes first. For more information, see AWS Direct Connect Pricing. If you no longer want the connection after you've reissued the LOA-CFA, you must delete the connection yourself. For more information, see Deleting a Connection.

To download the LOA-CFA using the command line or API

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