> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zayo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cloud Router connection to AWS Direct Connect

When attached to a Cloud Router, your AWS Hosted Direct Connect can be share a routing domain with other cloud links and virtual circuits.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

* An active AWS account with permissions to accept Direct Connect connections
* A DynamicLink port with available bandwidth
* Your AWS account ID (12‑digit number)

## Step 1: Create the Cloud Router connection in DynamicLink

Navigate to **Build Your Network > Ports** in the DynamicLink portal.

Under **Connections**, click the **Cloud Router** vertical tab.

Select **Cloud Connection** and then AWS:

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/insidepacket/rInK5lUOKKl_M8rN/images/cr-aws.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=rInK5lUOKKl_M8rN&q=85&s=333a41e526c58d967d69ee1bd6e5b395" alt="Screenshot" width="1830" height="968" data-path="images/cr-aws.png" />

Complete the following fields:

| Field                       | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Connection Type**         | At this time, we only support Direct Connect connections.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| **Region**                  | AWS region of your VPC (e.g., `us-east-1`).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Site Name**               | An available site for the chosen region.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| **BW**                      | Desired bandwidth for the Direct Connect link.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| **AWS Customer ID**         | Your AWS account ID (12 digits).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| **Cloud Router IP Address** | The IP address that the Cloud Router will use for BGP peering with AWS. This is typically the customer-side IP address in a `/30` subnet. When creating your Virtual Interface in AWS, you'll specify both the AWS-side and customer-side IP addresses for the BGP session. |

Enter a name for the connection and then click **Add**.

## Step 2: Accept the connection in AWS

1. Log in to the AWS Management Console and open **AWS Direct Connect**.
2. Locate the new connection (it will reference your DynamicLink account/username).
3. Select the connection and click **Accept**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/insidepacket/6Ep2so7VmNAnA5du/images/aws-accept.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Ep2so7VmNAnA5du&q=85&s=9a8d37c228d302459eafc9fbd996595b" alt="Screenshot of the Accept action" width="2888" height="866" data-path="images/aws-accept.png" />

<Tip>
  After acceptance, statuses typically progress from **Ordering** to **Pending** and then to **Available** once AWS completes provisioning (usually a few minutes).
</Tip>

## Step 3: Create AWS virtual interfaces (VIFs)

After the physical connection is available, create one or more VIFs to carry traffic:

* Private VIF for VPC connectivity
* Public VIF for AWS public services
* Transit VIF for AWS Transit Gateway (TGW)

Refer to AWS docs: [AWS Direct Connect virtual interfaces](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/directconnect/latest/UserGuide/create-vif.html).

## Step 4: Verify in DynamicLink

Return to the Cloud Routers page and verify your connection appears as **Available**.

## Next steps (routing)

Next, you will need to set up BGP and configure your Cloud Router ASN and peerings.