This topic describes the release notes for Express Connect and provides links to the relevant references.
February 2024
Feature | Category | Description | References |
New access points | New feature | The following new access points in the China (Zhengzhou - Local Region) and China (Hangzhou) regions are added: Zhengzhou-HighTech-A and Hangzhou-Gongshu-A. |
January 2024
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Express Connect Router (ECR) | New feature | ECR is a component that is used for forwarding services in global hybrid cloud networking connected over Express Connect circuits. ECR provides features such as Express Connect circuit-based global networking, dynamic routing networking, and centralized release management for routes. |
November 2023
Feature | Category | Description | References |
High reliability mode | New feature | Express Connect allows you to create Express Connect circuits in high reliability mode to obtain higher service level agreement (SLA) capabilities. In this mode, the service availability is up to 99.99%. | |
Fault drills | New feature | Express Connect allows you to perform fault drills to test the reliability of hybrid-cloud networking solutions. | |
New access points | New feature | The following new access points in the China (Hong Kong) region are added: HK-KwaiChung-A and HK-ChaiWan-B. |
October 2023
Feature | Category | Description | References |
New access points | New feature | The following new access points in the China (Wuhan - Local Region) and China (Taiyuan - Local Region) regions are added: Wuhan-Donghu-A and Taiyuan-Xiaodian-A. |
August 2023
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Tags and resource groups | New feature | Tags and resource groups are supported for virtual border routers (VBRs) and VBR-to-virtual private cloud (VPC) connections. |
June 2023
Feature | Category | Description | References |
New access points | New feature | The following new access points in the China (Changsha - Local Region), China (Jinan - Local Region), China (Tianjin - Local Region), and China (Dalian - Local Region) regions are added: Changsha-Yuelu-A, Jinan-Gaoxin-A, Tianjin-Jinnan-A, and Dalian-Pulandian-A. |
May 2023
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Route prefixes | New feature | After you create a VBR, the system automatically creates a route table for the VBR. You can add route prefixes to the route table or manage the route prefixes in the route table. |
February 2023
Feature | Category | Description | References |
VBR diagnostics | New feature | VBRs are connected to Network Intelligence Service (NIS), and support the one-click diagnostics feature. The feature checks the configuration and operating status of a VBR and provides suggestions on how to resolve identified anomalies. You can use this feature to check the health status, configurations, quota limit, and costs of VBRs. In addition, you can use this feature to view the details of historical diagnostics results. | |
Query of access point locations | New feature | Express Connect allows you to query the detailed information about locations of access points for dedicated Express Connect circuits. | |
Application of permissions to create shared ports for shared Express Connect circuits | New feature | You can apply for the permissions to create shared ports for shared Express Connect circuits in the Quota Center console. |
December 2022
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Support for detaching a VBR from a Cloud Enterprise Network (CEN) instance | Optimized feature | You can go to the CEN console and detach a VBR from a CEN instance. |
November 2022
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Tags | New feature | Express Connect circuits and shared ports support tags. This meets the business requirements of enterprises. | |
Optimized process of purchasing a VBR-to-VPC connection | Optimized feature | The process of purchasing a VBR-to-VPC connection is optimized. If a VBR and a VPC are deployed in the same region, you are no longer charged for a VBR-to-VPC connection, and the order page about a VBR-to-VPC connection is not displayed in the Express Connect console. |
October 2022
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Optimized process of purchasing an Express Connect circuit | Optimized feature | The process of purchasing an Express Connect circuit is optimized. You are no longer charged for initial installation fees of an Express Connect circuit, and the order page about the initial installation of an Express Connect circuit is not displayed in the Express Connect console. | Create and manage a dedicated connection over an Express Connect circuit |
February 2022
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Support for IPv6 | New feature | The IPv4/IPv6 dual stack feature is supported. Requests from both IPv4 and IPv6 clients can be forwarded to backend servers. |
August 2021
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Monitoring and alerting for Express Connect circuits | New feature | Express Connect is integrated with CloudMonitor. You can view the status of Express Connect circuits updated in real time and configure alert rules. This helps you gain deep insights into Express Connect circuits and detect connectivity errors at the earliest opportunity to prevent service interruptions. | Monitoring and alerting for connections over Express Connect circuits |
July 2021
Feature | Category | Description | References |
Billing for outbound data transfer | New feature | Outbound data transfer refers to the data transfer from Alibaba Cloud to a data center. Starting July 1, 2021, you must enable billing for outbound data transfer before you can create a connection over an Express Connect circuit. | |
Shared ports | New feature | Alibaba Cloud provides shared ports. Express Connect partners can create shared ports instead of VBRs for tenants to manage hosted connections. Shared ports belong to tenants and are managed by tenants. |
April 2021
Feature | Category | Description | References |
VBR failover | New feature | Two VBRs can be added to a failover group. When Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) detects connectivity errors on one of the VBRs in a failover group, network traffic can be switched to the standby VBR within less than 1 second. This accelerates route convergence and prevents service interruptions. |