The EBC platform offers various virtual network functionalities that you can configure through the self-service portal. Equinix offers this functionality on five Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) feature levels:
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Basic
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Standard
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Advanced
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Enterprise
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Enterprise Plus
For details, see the NFV feature levels in EBC Flex Network.
NFV–self-service
Most NFV functions are available through the self-service web portal, automation tooling and API. This gives the organization the opportunity to implement the desired network configuration without having to invest in equipment in advance. Equinix architects can advise on this if necessary.
Examples of NFV functions are –
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Firewalling up to Layer-4 (L4).
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NAT
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Routing
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Load–balancing
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VPN
Virtual Routers
The features and functionalities offered by Virtual Routers are similar to those in Shared Network (see EBC Flex Network: Virtual Routers), except that their deployment ranges only cover Large, Extra Large, and Quad Large.
Micro-segmentation
Micro-segmentation, also known for distributed firewalls (DFW), is an important feature of the EBC ST-platform and is available from the Advanced NFV feature level. The DFW function allows users to dynamically apply firewall rules based on VMs, tags, port groups, type of OS and so on. This contrasts with traditional situations where it is only possible to firewall on an interface of a router based on IP-address or IP-segment.
Applying DFW rules makes the principle of zero-trust networking possible where there is no longer any need to configure an IP segment, router and firewall for each application or collection of virtual machines that protect the user.
EBC Core Network purchase units
See EBC Flex Network Purchase Units offered by EBC Core Network.
Internal networks
Internal networks are Layer 2 (L2) networks to which VMs can be connected that can only exist within an EBC Core environment in a single data center. These networks are based on overlay technology and are available in port-groups. They transcend compute clusters and can only be accessed via virtual routers (L3) outside the data center.
Use cases include zoning and segmentation of the EBC network. Additional internal networks can be requested via a service request to the Equinix Support Desk.
If you need L2 and/or L3 networks that are available outside your EBC Core environment, see External Networks.
Five internal networks are included as part of the EBC Core service. If more than five internal networks are used per data center, these are invoiced automatically every month.
External Networks
External networks are Layer 2 (L2) networks to which VMs or routers can be connected. To enable external connectivity, you must purchase EBC Connect services in combination with other Equinix services, like Metro Connect or ECX Fabric.
External networks are based on VLANs and are made available in the form of port-groups. They transcend compute clusters and can be accessed outside the data center without the intervention of routers.
Use cases include connectivity to a second data center, on-premises environment or public cloud providers. Additional external networks can be requested via a Service Request from the Equinix Support Desk.
Five external networks are included as part of the EBC Core service. If more than five external networks are used per data center, they are invoiced automatically every month.
Own Routers
See EBC Flex Network: Own Routers to learn more.
