Connecting to Oracle OCI using FastConnect
Using your regional’s infrastructure in conjunction with the Internet2 Network, you can reach cloud resources, including Oracle OCI via FastConnect. The robust regional and national networks allow access to Oracle FastConnect in Ashburn, VA and Dallas, TX (to access the Phoenix region). Depending on your preference, you can implement either a Layer 2 or Layer 3 solution. Additionally, you will need to subscribe to the cloud provider’s service.
Layer 2 Oracle FastConnect Connection
The layer 2 option consists of layer 2 VLANs connecting the campus routers to routers inside the Oracle OCI cloud. The campus and Oracle exchange routes via BGP.
Layer 3 Oracle FastConnect Connection
With the layer 3 option, Internet2 creates an L3VPN unique for each campus. The L3VPN BGP peers with Oracle OCI and the campus, in turn, BGP peers with the L3VPN. The regional network, if any, passes the VLANs through between the campus and Internet2. One advantage of this option will be discussed further below.
Additional Layer 3 Connectivity
Another advantage of the Layer 3 option is the possibility of connecting to other Oracle regions and other cloud service providers. In this case, the Internet2 L3VPN peers with the additional sites/providers and the campus simply continue to peer with the L3VPN over the existing VLANs. Doing this with Layer 2 would require possibly many additional VLANs connecting the campus to provider routers.
