OCI-AWS interconnect using Equinix FCR

Introduction
In today’s multi-cloud environments, organizations are continuously looking for different ways of seamless connectivity from OCI to other cloud providers. One common way of achieving this is through partner connectivity. This blog we will walk you through the steps to configure interconnection between OCI and AWS using Equinix's new virtual routing service, Fabric cloud Router (FCR).

Architecture
Throughout this blog, we will reference the below architecture diagram to guide you through the steps to connect OCI to AWS using Equinix FCR.

Pre-requisites
In this blog, we are going to configure Equinix's FCR to interconnect connections coming from OCI and AWS. To acheieve this you will need to have the following AWS and OCI resources deployed and configured, as shown in the architecture diagram above.

OCI Resources

• VCN and Private subnet in Ashburn region.
• DRG in Ashburn and VCN attachement.
• VM in private subnet and routing and security list to enable access to AWS 10.2.0.0/16

• Create fastconnect to Equinix and have the OCID handy.

AWS Resources

• VPC in US East (N.Virginia) region with 10.2.0.0/16 CIDR
• Private subnet - 10.2.0.0/16
• VM in private subnet and routing and security list/ NSG to enable access to OCI 10.1.0.0/16

Step 1: Setup Equinix Fabric Connect Router (FCR)

1. Create Fabric cloud router in equinix portal.

           Click Next to create

Step 2: Create connections to OCI and AWS.Quick connect to OCI

• Select the Connection type --> Redundant / primary and give OCID information and from Oracle cloud destination drop-down list, select the region where your FastConnect circuit and Fabric Cloud Router are located.

• From the Origin Asset Type drop-down list, select Cloud Router and pick the FCR you created in the previous step.

• Provide the connection name and select desired bandwidth.
• Then select Configure Routing Details and update BGP details, Click Next

• Review Order and Additional Information, then click Create connection.

Quick Connect to AWS

• Select the Connection type --> Reduntant / Primary and give AWS information.

• Configure your connection.

• Go to AWS console --> Direct connect and accept the new connection
• Depending the bandwidth / Type of gateway (DXGW or VGW) setup your connection, virtual circuits and BGP on the AWS console.
• (back to Equinix portal) Configure Routing Details in the Fabric Portal by going to Connection inventory in Equinix fabric and select the connection to AWS and update routing details.

Step 3: Validate Connectivity

• Verify BGP status on both sides.

OCI

• In OCI console, go to DRG route table for VCN attachment and check you are receiving routes from AWS through Equinix.

AWS

Test end-to-end connectivity·    

• Given that we configured subnet level routing and security list correctly in both OCI and AWS, we should be able to ping both ways.

From OCI to AWS

From AWS to OCI

Conclusion

This blog should help you build a multi-cloud infrastructure that seamlessly integrates OCI with AWS via Equinix FCR. Oracle do provide other options for multicloud interconnectivity for different unique use-cases. You may refer to some of them in below Oracle livelabs.

Reference links

Equinix FCR - https://docs.equinix.com/en-us/Content/Interconnection/FCR/FCR-intro.htm
Oracle livelabs - https://apexapps.oracle.com/pls/apex/r/dbpm/livelabs/run-workshop?p210_wid=3759&p210_wec=&session=101787246919008

Hope you enjoyed this blog. Thank you for reading!