Build HA VPN connections between GCP and AWS [Hybrid Cloud] Easy step-step, latest 2024 -Dreametive

Summary

In this tutorial, the process of setting up a secure site-to-site VPN between AWS and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is demonstrated. The video covers essential steps for connecting workloads across both clouds while ensuring secure communication over a private network. The setup involves creating virtual private clouds (VPCs), configuring routers, and establishing VPN connections using dynamic routing. The presenter walks through each step of the process, from configuring Cloud VPN in GCP to setting up customer and virtual private gateways in AWS. By the end, the VPN tunnel is successfully established, enabling secure communication between AWS and GCP instances.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hybrid cloud connectivity enables secure communication between different cloud platforms, such as AWS and GCP.
• 😀 Organizations can use a site-to-site VPN to securely integrate workloads across AWS and Google Cloud, avoiding vendor lock-in.
• 😀 AWS and GCP have similar services, but their network designs are different. Understanding the network architecture is crucial when deploying workloads on either cloud.
• 😀 AWS uses VPCs within regions (like Mumbai or Paris), whereas GCP uses networks within projects, which can have subnets tied to specific regions.
• 😀 A key part of setting up secure cloud communication is using SSH access to instances within each cloud, even without external IPs.
• 😀 The video demonstrates how to create VPN connections to enable secure communication between AWS EC2 instances and GCP instances.
• 😀 The VPN setup on AWS and GCP involves creating routers, setting up BGP ASN, and establishing VPN tunnels with high availability options.
• 😀 High availability VPNs provide two tunnels to ensure continuous communication if one tunnel fails.
• 😀 The BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) configuration is vital for routing between the two clouds, ensuring dynamic routing of network traffic.
• 😀 To ensure the VPN works, route propagation must be enabled in the VPC route tables on AWS and GCP, allowing the communication to flow securely between the two clouds.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of setting up a secure site-to-site VPN between AWS and Google Cloud?

The main purpose is to enable secure communication between workloads running on AWS and Google Cloud, ensuring private and secure data exchange over a private network without relying on public internet connections.

Why would an organization choose to distribute its workloads across AWS and GCP?

Organizations may distribute their workloads across AWS and GCP to avoid vendor lock-in, improve redundancy, and leverage the strengths and features of both cloud platforms for their applications.

What is the difference between the network design in AWS and GCP?

While both cloud platforms offer similar services, the key difference lies in how their networks are structured. AWS uses VPCs within specific regions and subnets, while GCP utilizes networks within projects and regions, with distinct configurations and terminologies.

What role does the VPC play in the AWS and GCP network design?

In AWS, the VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) provides a private network within a specific region where workloads can be deployed. In GCP, the VPC serves a similar purpose but is organized within projects and regions, managing communication between resources.

How does SSH access work in the context of GCP instances in the video?

SSH access to GCP instances is managed securely using a role called IAP (Identity-Aware Proxy), which enables users to connect to instances without needing an external IP address.

What is the purpose of the VPN tunnel in the setup described in the video?

The VPN tunnel ensures that the communication between the AWS and GCP instances occurs securely over a private network. It enables encrypted communication for sensitive data exchange between the two clouds.

What does High Availability VPN in GCP offer compared to Classic VPN?

High Availability VPN in GCP provides two tunnels for redundancy. If one tunnel goes down, the other tunnel ensures uninterrupted communication, unlike Classic VPN, which only offers a single tunnel.

What is the significance of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) in the VPN setup?

BGP is used to manage the routing of traffic between the AWS and GCP networks. It ensures that the correct IP routes are propagated and establishes dynamic routing between the two cloud environments.

What step is required after the VPN tunnel is created to ensure connectivity?

After creating the VPN tunnel, it's crucial to enable route propagation in the VPC's route tables to allow the proper routing of traffic between AWS and GCP, ensuring that communication is successfully established.

What can be done if the VPN connection is no longer needed?

If the VPN connection is no longer required, it can be disabled by going to the route tables on AWS and editing the route propagation settings to disable it, effectively cutting off the connection between AWS and GCP.