Global VPC - how is it different from AWS

Global VPC - how is it different from AWS

Introduction

Virtual networking stack offered by GCP is fundamentally different from AWS. While AWS got stuck with their initial design, GCP got time to learn from their mistakes and build a well thought VPC system that supports interconnectivity across regions by default. In this blog we're going to compare the VPC offerings of both the cloud provider to help you make informed decisions.

1. Global vs. Regional

  • AWS VPC: Each VPC is linked to a specific AWS region. You must create separate VPCs in each region where you want to deploy resources.
  • GCP VPC: GCP offers a global VPC, allowing a single VPC to span multiple regions. This can simplify network management and resource sharing across regions.

2. Peering and Interconnectivity

  • AWS VPC: AWS uses VPC Peering for connectivity between VPCs, which can be within the same region or across different regions. AWS also offers Transit Gateway for more complex network topologies.
  • GCP VPC: GCP uses VPC Peering, but with limitations compared to AWS. GCP also offers Shared VPCs, where multiple projects can share the same VPC, and Cloud Interconnect for on-premise connectivity.

3. Subnet Configuration

  • AWS VPC: Subnets are regional, and you define the IP address range (CIDR block) when creating a subnet within a VPC.
  • GCP VPC: Subnets are also regional, but you can create subnets in multiple regions under the same global VPC. GCP allows for automatic subnet creation across regions.

4. Security Groups and Firewalls

  • AWS VPC: Uses security groups as stateful virtual firewalls at the instance level and Network ACLs (stateless) at the subnet level.
  • GCP VPC: Uses firewall rules which apply to instances based on network tags or service accounts, providing a global view and management of firewall policies.

5. Routing

  • AWS VPC: Each VPC has a route table associated with it, which controls the routing for the subnet within that VPC.
  • GCP VPC: GCP provides global routing, allowing you to configure routes that span across regions, which can be beneficial for hybrid cloud and multi-region architectures.

Pros and Cons of GCP VPC vs. AWS VPC

AWS VPC

Pros

  1. Well-Established: AWS VPC has been around for a long time and includes a wide array of features.
  2. Transit Gateway: Simplifies complex network architectures and inter-region connectivity.
  3. Large Ecosystem: Extensive third-party integrations and a large user base.

Cons

  1. Region-Specific: VPCs are tied to regions, requiring more management overhead for multi-region deployments.
  2. Complex Pricing: VPC peering and transit gateway pricing can be complex and potentially costly.
  3. Management Overhead: Separate VPCs for different regions can increase management complexity.

GCP VPC

Pros

  1. Global VPC: Simplifies network management with a single VPC spanning multiple regions.
  2. Flexible Subnet Management: Ability to create subnets across regions under the same VPC.
  3. Unified Firewall Management: Firewall rules can be globally managed and applied across the entire VPC.

Cons

  1. Less Mature: While rapidly improving, GCP VPC is not as mature as AWS VPC.
  2. Limited Peering Features: VPC peering in GCP has more limitations compared to AWS.
  3. Smaller Ecosystem: Smaller user base and fewer third-party integrations compared to AWS.

Both AWS and GCP VPCs offer strong networking capabilities, but the choice between them often depends on specific use cases, existing cloud infrastructure, and regional deployment needs. AWS's mature ecosystem and advanced features make it a strong choice for complex, large-scale deployments, while GCP's global VPC and simplified management can be advantageous for multi-region deployments and streamlined network management.

For AWS users checkout our Guide to Accessing Private Databases in AWS VPC : https://www.kubeblogs.com/bypassing-the-walls-a-guide-to-accessing-private-databases-in-aws-vpc/