Access modes and solution comparison of Express Connect - Express Connect

You can apply for a dedicated Express Connect circuit or use a shared Express Connect circuit pre-installed by an Express Connect partner to connect to Alibaba Cloud.

Connection methods

Apply for a dedicated connection
You can lease an Express Connect circuit from a connectivity provider to connect to an access point of Alibaba Cloud. Each Express Connect circuit occupies a physical port. You can apply for an Express Connect circuit in the Express Connect console.
Share a partner connection
The networks of Express Connect partners are already connected to the Alibaba Cloud access points. You can use an Express Connect circuit pre-installed by an Express Connect partner to connect to Alibaba Cloud. If you select this method, you must request the Express Connect partner to create a hosted connection. In this case, the Express Connect circuit is shared by multiple tenants.

Comparison between implementation methods

Item	Apply for a dedicated connection port	Share a pre-connected partner connection
Recommended bandwidth	1 to 100 Gbps	<1 Gbps
Overall construction period	Two to three months	One month
Procedure	The procedure involves multiple parties: Purchase a dedicated connection port in the Alibaba Cloud Management Console. Contact a connectivity provider to establish a connection from your data center to an Alibaba Cloud access point. Debug the device on the connection side. Configure the cloud connection.	The procedure involves two parties: Contact a local connectivity provider to establish a connection from your data center to a carrier access point. Debug the device on the connection side. Configure the cloud connection.
Port type	Dedicated port	Shared port
Billing	Alibaba Cloud charges a monthly resource usage fee. The colocation provider of the Alibaba Cloud access point charges a cable fee. The colocation provider of your data center charges a cable fee. The connectivity provider charges fees for the installation service and bandwidth resources. For more information, see Billing overview.	Alibaba Cloud charges a monthly resource usage fee. The colocation provider of your data center charges a cable fee. The connectivity provider charges fees for the installation service and bandwidth resources.
Construction restrictions on the Alibaba Cloud side	Alibaba Cloud provides optical transceiver modules of the following specifications: 1 Gbit/s, 10 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, and 100 Gbit/s. The optical transceiver modules support a transmission distance of 10 km. If you purchase optical ports, make sure that the connectivity provider uses fibers to connect to the devices of Alibaba Cloud. Alibaba Cloud data centers do not support fiber-optic transceivers. During the lockdown periods of Alibaba Cloud data centers, such as Double 11, Double 12, and the Chinese New Year, you must apply for approval before your cable installation company can go to Alibaba Cloud data centers for cable installation.	None.
Construction restrictions on the carrier side	The colocation providers of Alibaba Cloud access points are third-party service providers. The installation rules vary based on the colocation provider. Specific China Telecom branches may request permissions to install cables in their data centers. In this case, you must contact your connectivity provider to obtain the required permissions. Some China Telecom branches may request an authorization letter for installing cables in your data center. The authorization letter must be affixed with the seal of your company and that of Alibaba Cloud. To apply for the seal of Alibaba Cloud, contact your account manager.	None.
Site survey at Alibaba Cloud data centers	After your application is approved, Alibaba Cloud helps engineers perform the site survey within two business days.	None.
SLA for fiber pigtail construction on the Alibaba Cloud side	Data centers within the Chinese mainland: two business days. Data centers outside the Chinese mainland: two to four business days. During the lockdowns of Alibaba Cloud data centers: eight business days.	None.