Express Connect offers two ways to connect your data center to Alibaba Cloud: apply for a dedicated connection directly, or use a hosted connection provisioned by an Express Connect partner whose network is already linked to Alibaba Cloud.
Connection methods
Dedicated connection
A dedicated connection gives you an Express Connect circuit leased directly from a connectivity provider. The circuit terminates at an Alibaba Cloud access point, and each circuit occupies a dedicated physical port. Apply for the circuit in the Express Connect console.
Hosted connection
Express Connect partners maintain pre-established links to Alibaba Cloud access points. With a hosted connection, you contact an Express Connect partner and request them to create a hosted connection on your behalf — the circuit is shared across multiple tenants.
Choose a connection method
| Dedicated connection | Hosted connection | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | High-bandwidth hybrid cloud connectivity requiring a dedicated physical port | Lower-bandwidth connectivity with faster setup through a partner |
| Recommended bandwidth | 1 to 100 Gbps | Less than 1 Gbps |
| Setup time | One to three months | One month |
| Port type | Dedicated port | Shared port |
| Setup steps | Multiple-party process: purchase a dedicated connection port in the Alibaba Cloud Management Console, have your connectivity provider establish a connection to an Alibaba Cloud access point, debug the connection-side device, and configure the cloud connection. | Two-party process: have your connectivity provider establish a connection to a carrier access point, debug the connection-side device, and configure the cloud connection. |
| Billing | Alibaba Cloud charges a monthly resource usage fee. The colocation provider of the Alibaba Cloud access point and your data center colocation provider each charge a cable fee. The connectivity provider charges for installation and bandwidth. See Billing overview. | Alibaba Cloud charges a monthly resource usage fee. Your data center colocation provider charges a cable fee. The connectivity provider charges for installation and bandwidth. |
| Alibaba Cloud construction restrictions | Optical transceivers support 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps with a 10 km transmission range. Optical ports require fiber connections to Alibaba Cloud devices. Fiber-optic transceivers are not supported in Alibaba Cloud data centers. During data center lockdown periods (Double 11, Double 12, and Chinese New Year), submit an approval request before scheduling cable installation. | None |
| Carrier-side construction restrictions | Alibaba Cloud access point colocation providers are third-party services with varying installation rules. Some China Telecom branches may request permissions to install cables in their data centers. Some China Telecom branches may request an authorization letter for installing cables in your data center — the letter must bear both your company seal and the Alibaba Cloud seal. To obtain the Alibaba Cloud seal, contact your account manager. | None |
| Site survey | After your application is approved, Alibaba Cloud arranges an engineer site survey within two business days. | None |
| SLA for fiber pigtail construction | Chinese mainland data centers: two business days. Data centers outside the Chinese mainland: three business days. Note SLA is not guaranteed during Alibaba Cloud data center lockdown periods. See Notice on annual lockdown periods. | None |