Microsoft ExpressRoute vs Equinix Connect
When it comes to cloud networking, there are a variety of providers on the market, and the choice can be overwhelming. Two of the most popular options are Microsoft ExpressRoute and Equinix Connect. Both offer high-speed, secure connections to cloud providers, but which is right for your business? Let's take a closer look.
Microsoft ExpressRoute
Microsoft ExpressRoute is a direct, private connection between your on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure. This direct connection bypasses the public internet and provides higher security, reliability, and performance than traditional VPN connections.
Features
- Private connection between your on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure
- Offers high-speed, low-latency connections of up to 100 Gbps
- Provides a more secure connection than traditional VPNs
- Offers predictable, consistent performance
- With ExpressRoute Global Reach, you can connect with multiple Azure regions and other ExpressRoute locations around the world
Pricing
The cost of Microsoft ExpressRoute varies depending on the location of the peering point and the amount of data transferred. For example, in the US, the cost ranges from $0.146 per hour for a 50 Mbps connection to $3.065 per hour for a 10 Gbps connection.
Equinix Connect
Equinix Connect is a global interconnection platform that enables companies to interconnect directly to cloud providers. Equinix has a global network of data centers that provide high-speed, secure, low-latency connectivity to major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
Features
- Direct, private connections to leading cloud providers
- Provides high-speed, low-latency connections of up to 10 Gbps
- Offers a global network of data centers for multi-region access
- Provides high levels of security and reliability
- Offers on-demand scalability, allowing you to increase or decrease capacity as needed
Pricing
Equinix Connect pricing varies widely depending on the location and the cloud provider you are connecting to. For example, a 1 Gbps connection to AWS at an Equinix data center in New York could cost $0.33 per hour, while a 1 Gbps connection to Azure at the same location would cost $0.70 per hour.
Which one is right for me?
Both Microsoft ExpressRoute and Equinix Connect offer direct, private connections to cloud providers with high-speed, low-latency, and high-security features. The choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget.
If you need to connect to Azure, Microsoft ExpressRoute may be the better choice, with its higher speeds and lower prices. On the other hand, if you need to connect to multiple cloud providers or require global access, Equinix Connect may be more suitable for your needs, despite its higher prices.
References
Microsoft Azure. (n.d.). Azure ExpressRoute. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/expressroute/
Equinix. (n.d.). Equinix Connect. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.equinix.com/interconnection/platforms/equinix-connect/