Skip to content
Back to the library
FREE
Database

hybrid-cloud-networking

Configure secure, high-performance connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments using VPN, Direct Connect, and ExpressRoute.

Try it — you'd type
Help me with hybrid-cloud-networking.
And you'd get back
Configure secure, high-performance connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments using VPN, Direct Connect, and ExpressRoute.
Formatted for Claude, no fluff, no preamble.
Works the same way every time you ask.
Adding it takes about 30 seconds
1

Click Get this skill. Grab the .md file, one click, no account needed.

2

Add it to Claude. Drop it into ~/.claude/skills/. Claude picks it up the next time you open a session.

3

Ask normally. Type your question. The skill triggers on the right keywords — you don't have to remember anything.

Unlock all skills — $25
You might also like
Migration Generator

Generate database migration files

Query Optimizer

Analyze and optimize slow database queries

Schema Designer

Design database schema from requirements

Seed Data Generator

Generate database seed/sample data

Index Advisor

Suggest database indexes based on query patterns

ORM Model Generator

Generate ORM models from database schema

SKILL FILEWhat Claude actually reads
Configure secure, high-performance connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments using VPN, Direct Connect, and ExpressRoute.

## Do not use this skill when

- The task is unrelated to hybrid cloud networking
- You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

## Instructions

- Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
- Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
- Provide actionable steps and verification.
- If detailed examples are required, open `resources/implementation-playbook.md`.

## Purpose

Establish secure, reliable network connectivity between on-premises data centers and cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).

## Use this skill when

- Connect on-premises to cloud
- Extend datacenter to cloud
- Implement hybrid active-active setups
- Meet compliance requirements
- Migrate to cloud gradually

## Connection Options

### AWS Connectivity

#### 1. Site-to-Site VPN
- IPSec VPN over internet
- Up to 1.25 Gbps per tunnel
- Cost-effective for moderate bandwidth
- Higher latency, internet-dependent

```hcl
resource "aws_vpn_gateway" "main" {
  vpc_id = aws_vpc.main.id
  tags = {
    Name = "main-vpn-gateway"
  }
}

resource "aws_customer_gateway" "main" {
  bgp_asn    = 65000
  ip_address = "203.0.113.1"
  type       = "ipsec.1"
}

resource "aws_vpn_connection" "main" {
  vpn_gateway_id      = aws_vpn_gateway.main.id
  customer_gateway_id = aws_customer_gateway.main.id
  type                = "ipsec.1"
  static_routes_only  = false
}
```

#### 2. AWS Direct Connect
- Dedicated network connection
- 1 Gbps to 100 Gbps
- Lower latency, consistent bandwidth
- More expensive, setup time required

**Reference:** See `references/direct-connect.md`

### Azure Connectivity

#### 1. Site-to-Site VPN
```hcl
resource "azurerm_virtual_network_gateway" "vpn" {
  name                = "vpn-gateway"
  location            = azurerm_resource_group.main.location
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.main.name

  type     = "Vpn"
  vpn_type = "RouteBased"
  sku      = "VpnGw1"

  ip_configuration {
    name                          = "vnetGatewayConfig"
    public_ip_address_id          = azurerm_public_ip.vpn.id
    private_ip_address_allocation = "Dynamic"
    subnet_id                     = azurerm_subnet.gateway.id
  }
}
```

#### 2. Azure ExpressRoute
- Private connection via connectivity provider
- Up to 100 Gbps
- Low latency, high reliability
- Premium for global connectivity

### GCP Connectivity

#### 1. Cloud VPN
- IPSec VPN (Classic or HA VPN)
- HA VPN: 99.99% SLA
- Up to 3 Gbps per tunnel

#### 2. Cloud Interconnect
- Dedicated (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps)
- Partner (50 Mbps to 50 Gbps)
- Lower latency than VPN

## Hybrid Network Patterns

### Pattern 1: Hub-and-Spoke
```
On-Premises Datacenter
         ↓
    VPN/Direct Connect
         ↓
    Transit Gateway (AWS) / vWAN (Azure)
         ↓
    ├─ Production VPC/VNet
    ├─ Staging VPC/VNet
    └─ Development VPC/VNet
```

### Pattern 2: Multi-Region Hybrid
```
On-Premises
    ├─ Direct Connect → us-east-1
    └─ Direct Connect → us-west-2
            ↓
        Cross-Region Peering
```

### Pattern 3: Multi-Cloud Hybrid
```
On-Premises Datacenter
    ├─ Direct Connect → AWS
    ├─ ExpressRoute → Azure
    └─ Interconnect → GCP
```

## Routing Configuration

### BGP Configuration
```
On-Premises Router:
- AS Number: 65000
- Advertise: 10.0.0.0/8

Cloud Router:
- AS Number: 64512 (AWS), 65515 (Azure)
- Advertise: Cloud VPC/VNet CIDRs
```

### Route Propagation
- Enable route propagation on route tables
- Use BGP for dynamic routing
- Implement route filtering
- Monitor route advertisements

## Security Best Practices

1. **Use private connectivity** (Direct Connect/ExpressRoute)
2. **Implement encryption** for VPN tunnels
3. **Use VPC endpoints** to avoid internet routing
4. **Configure network ACLs** and security groups
5. **Enable VPC Flow Logs** for monitoring
6. **Implement DDoS protection**
7. **Use PrivateLink/Private Endpoints**
8. **Monitor connections** with CloudWatch/Monitor
9. **Implement redundancy** (dual tunnels)
10. **Regular security audits**

## High Availability

### Dual VPN Tunnels
```hcl
resource "aws_vpn_connection" "primary" {
  vpn_gateway_id      = aws_vpn_gateway.main.id
  customer_gateway_id = aws_customer_gateway.primary.id
  type                = "ipsec.1"
}

resource "aws_vpn_connection" "secondary" {
  vpn_gateway_id      = aws_vpn_gateway.main.id
  customer_gateway_id = aws_customer_gateway.secondary.id
  type                = "ipsec.1"
}
```

### Active-Active Configuration
- Multiple connections from different locations
- BGP for automatic failover
- Equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routing
- Monitor health of all connections

## Monitoring and Troubleshooting

### Key Metrics
- Tunnel status (up/down)
- Bytes in/out
- Packet loss
- Latency
- BGP session status

### Troubleshooting
```bash
# AWS VPN
aws ec2 describe-vpn-connections
aws ec2 get-vpn-connection-telemetry

# Azure VPN
az network vpn-connection show
az network vpn-connection show-device-config-script
```

## Cost Optimization

1. **Right-size connections** based on traffic
2. **Use VPN for low-bandwidth** workloads
3. **Consolidate traffic** through fewer connections
4. **Minimize data transfer** costs
5. **Use Direct Connect** for high bandwidth
6. **Implement caching** to reduce traffic

## Reference Files

- `references/vpn-setup.md` - VPN configuration guide
- `references/direct-connect.md` - Direct Connect setup

## Related Skills

- `multi-cloud-architecture` - For architecture decisions
- `terraform-module-library` - For IaC implementation