Microsoft Taps AWS for Seamless Cloud Connections

Microsoft has taken a significant step towards multicloud connectivity by introducing Azure Multicloud Interconnect in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This new service provides private, high-capacity connections between the two clouds, reducing the complexity and time it takes to set up these connections.

The interconnect is built on open networking interoperability specifications and extends to private link paths between the two environments. Unlike traditional methods of connecting multiple clouds, which often involve manual network assembly and can take weeks or even months, Azure Multicloud Interconnect uses a cloud-native interface to provision connections in minutes.

Microsoft's move is notable as both companies have previously downplayed customer appetite for multicloud connectivity. However, the reality on the ground has changed, with many enterprises operating across multiple providers due to acquisitions, regional data requirements, and engineering preferences.

The new service aims to address the needs of these customers by providing high-capacity private connections that can be dynamically expanded. Encryption is included by default at the link layer, and the availability commitment sits at four-nines level, meeting enterprises' expectations for production networking.