Are you looking to connect your on-premises network to Google Cloud Platform (GCP)? In this article, we will explore the network architecture in GCP and discuss various options for securely connecting to GCP from your on-premises environment.

Sharing Networks in GCP

Inside GCP, an organization can contain multiple projects, each with its own Virtual Private Cloud (VPC). If you want to share a network with multiple projects within your organization, you can use a Shared VPC. This allows resources from different projects to communicate using their internal IP addresses and provides centralized network security and policies.

Another option for enabling communication between networks is VPC Peering. VPC Peering allows you to connect networks within the same or different organizations. Each VPC maintains its own administration, security rules, and policies, and communication between networks is established using internal IP addresses.

Connecting to GCP Network

Now let’s explore the options for connecting your on-premises network to GCP.

Cloud VPN

If you want to connect a VPC network with your on-premises network or another cloud provider’s network, you can choose Cloud VPN. Cloud VPN establishes an encrypted IPsec VPN tunnel between the networks. It offers two types: Classic VPN and HA VPN (High Availability VPN). Classic VPN supports static or dynamic routing, while HA VPN provides higher availability and supports both IPv4 and IPv6.

Cloud Router

Cloud Router is used in conjunction with Cloud VPN when dynamic routes are required. It uses Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to update and exchange routes between the on-premises VPN gateway and the Cloud Router.

Cloud Interconnect

Cloud Interconnect provides dedicated high-speed and bandwidth connections between GCP and on-premises networks. There are three options available:

• Dedicated Interconnect: Offers a dedicated physical connection to Google’s colocation facility. It provides high bandwidth and availability, and you need to set up a BGP session between a Cloud Router and your on-premises router.
• Partner Interconnect: Allows you to connect to GCP using a service provider. It offers both Layer 2 and Layer 3 connections, and you can choose from a list of providers.
• Direct Peering: Creates a peering connection between your on-premises network and Google’s edge network. It uses public IPs and provides access to GCP products and Google Workspace.

Carrier Peering

Similar to Direct Peering, Carrier Peering uses a partner’s network instead of Google’s edge points. It allows you to access GCP products and Google Workspace through a partner’s network.

Cross-Cloud Interconnect

If you need to connect GCP with other cloud providers, Cross-Cloud Interconnect provides a dedicated physical connection. It supports high bandwidth and availability and allows you to connect to multiple cloud providers.

These are the various options available for connecting to GCP from your on-premises network. Each option has its own advantages and considerations, so choose the one that best suits your requirements.

Remember to consider factors such as bandwidth, availability, security, and compatibility with your existing network infrastructure.

By leveraging the power of GCP’s network architecture and connectivity options, you can seamlessly integrate your on-premises environment with the cloud and unlock the full potential of your applications and services.

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