VPC

Virtual Private Cloud

A logically isolated section of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud where you can launch and manage AWS resources in a virtual network that you define. It allows you to create a private network environment in the cloud, giving you control over network configurations, such as IP addresses, subnets, route tables, and network gateways. Here are the key aspects of a VPC:

1. Isolation: A VPC provides network isolation, allowing you to create a private and secure environment for your AWS resources. It’s like having your own data center in the cloud.
2. Custom Networking: You can define IP address ranges for your VPC, create subnets within those ranges, and control inbound and outbound traffic through security groups and network access control lists (NACLs).
3. Subnets: Subnets are segments of a VPC’s IP address range. You can create public subnets with direct internet access and private ones without. This separation is useful for managing security and routing.
4. Security Groups: Security groups act as virtual firewalls for your instances. You can control inbound and outbound traffic by specifying rules that allow or deny traffic based on ports and protocols.
5. Network Access Control Lists (NACLs): NACLs are stateless and operate at the subnet level. They provide an additional layer of security by allowing you to control traffic in and out of your subnets based on rules you define.
6. Route Tables: A route table contains a set of rules, called routes, that determine where network traffic is directed. You can associate route tables with subnets to control traffic flow.
7. Internet Gateway: An internet gateway allows instances within public subnets to connect to the internet. It’s crucial for enabling communication between your VPC and the outside world.
8. Virtual Private Gateway: A virtual private gateway allows you to establish a secure VPN connection between your on-premises network and your VPC.
9. Peering: VPC peering enables you to connect one VPC with another, allowing resources in different VPCs to communicate securely and directly without needing internet access.
10. Use Cases: VPCs are essential for designing and controlling the network architecture of your AWS resources. They are used for hosting web applications, databases, and other services while maintaining security and separation.

A VPC is a customizable network environment within AWS that lets you create isolated segments, define network settings, and manage network traffic for your cloud resources. It’s a fundamental building block for designing secure and scalable cloud architectures.

• Abbreviation: VPC