Express Connect:Preparations

Step 1: Choose an access point

Access points indicate the geographical locations where Express Connect circuits are connected to Alibaba Cloud. Two access devices are deployed at each access point. Each region contains one or more access points. You can connect your data center to a virtual private cloud (VPC) through an access point that meets your requirements. For more information about access points, see Locations of access points.

When you choose an access point, take note of factors such as the region, connectivity provider, and port.

• Region

  We recommend that you select the access point nearest to your data center. The connectivity providers and bandwidth limits vary based on the access point.

• Connectivity provider

  We recommend that you choose a connectivity provider based on your business requirements. You can lease an Express Connect circuit from China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile, or other connectivity providers.

  Note

  • When you install an Express Connect circuit in a data center, you must follow the rules of the colocation provider. For more information about connectivity providers, see Locations of access points.

  • You are not allowed to install Express Connect circuits in data centers of China Unicom, China Telecom, or China Mobile if the Express Connect circuits are leased from connectivity providers other than the preceding ones.

  • If you choose China Unicom, China Telecom, or China Mobile as the connectivity provider, bare fiber is not supported. You must lease lines from these connectivity providers. For more information, contact your connectivity provider.

• Port

  You can use a copper Ethernet port or an optical port.

  • The switches in the access points of Alibaba Cloud support RJ-45 copper Ethernet ports. The default port specification is 10 GE. 100BASE-T and 1000BASE-T copper Ethernet ports are also supported. The port rate depends on the port specification.

  • Optical ports are known as bare optical fibers. Connectivity providers use optical cables of the transmission network to connect to Alibaba Cloud. The speed of an optical port depends on the negotiated speed of optical transceiver modules on both ends of the connection. The port rate can be 1 Gbit/s, 10 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, or 100 Gbit/s.

  Note

  • Different access points provide different port specifications. We recommend you check the port specifications available for purchase before you apply for an Express Connect circuit.

  • By default, Alibaba Cloud provides optical transceiver modules with 1 Gbit/s and 10 Gbit/s ports. This type of optical transceiver module supports a maximum transmission distance of 10 km.

    If you want to use optical transceiver modules with 40 Gbit/s and 100 Gbit/s ports or optical transceiver modules that support a maximum transmission distance of greater than 10 km, purchase them from a third party. If you purchase an optical transceiver module from a third party, you must contact your customer business manager from Alibaba Cloud before you install the Express Connect circuit in the Alibaba Cloud data center.

  • To use optical ports, make sure that the connectivity provider uses optical fiber cables to connect to the access device of Alibaba Cloud.

  • Alibaba Cloud does not host fiber optical transceivers for customers. Therefore, make sure that the connectivity provider uses the supported type of cable to connect to the access device of Alibaba Cloud.

Step 2: Check inventory availability

After you choose an access point, you can check whether the Express Connect circuit that you apply for is available for purchase on the payment page.

1. Log on to the Express Connect console.

2. Click Create Physical Connection.

3. On the Purchase Port page, specify the endpoint, port type, and other parameters, and then click Buy Now.

4. On the Confirm Order page, confirm the configurations, select Terms of Service, and then click Pay.

5. Check whether inventory is sufficient on the payment page.

   • If the payment page appears after you click Pay, the Express Connect circuit is in stock.

     Important

     Do not click Confirm Payment.

   • If a message that shows that the activation fails appears after you click Pay, the Express Connect circuit that you apply for is out of stock. Select another access point and try again.

Step 3: Perform a site survey

After you verify that the specified access point is available and obtain the information about the location of the access point, contact your connectivity provider for details about connecting your data center to Alibaba Cloud. In addition, contact the connectivity provider to perform a site survey.

1. Contact your connectivity provider for details about installing the Express Connect circuit and connect the Express Connect circuit to the specified access point.

2. After you confirm the plan, submit a ticket to apply for a site survey.

   You must provide the required information, such as the name, ID number, and contact information of the engineer to perform the site survey.

3. After the application is approved, Alibaba Cloud will assist the site survey personnel to complete the site survey within two business days.

4. Contact the connectivity provider to perform a site survey and confirm the end-to-end fee.

   For more information, see Billing overview.