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Networks Overview

Networks are a fundamental component of cloud infrastructure that enable communication between instances and provide connectivity to the internet. Understanding how networks function in our cloud environment is essential for building secure and efficient systems.

Network Types

Internal Networks

  • Private networks for internal communication between instances
  • Typically use 10.x.x.x/24 address ranges
  • Ideal for database servers, application backends, and internal services
  • Provides isolation and security for sensitive workloads

External Networks

  • Enable internet connectivity for your instances
  • Allow you to expose services to the public internet
  • Support floating IP addresses for public access
  • Essential for web servers and public-facing applications

Network Components

Routers

  • Connect different networks together
  • Provide routing between internal and external networks
  • Handle network address translation (NAT)
  • Enable internet access for instances on private networks

Subnets

  • Subdivisions of your network
  • Allow logical grouping of instances
  • Enable fine-grained network segmentation
  • Help organize and secure your infrastructure

Default Configuration

By default, new instances are configured with:

  • A private internal network (10.x.x.x/24)
  • Basic connectivity for management access
  • No public internet access until explicitly configured
  • Standard security group rules for essential services

Use Cases

Common network configurations include:

Web Application Setup

  • Public-facing web servers on external network
  • Database servers on internal network
  • Load balancers on external network

Development Environment

  • Internal network for development servers
  • VPN access for remote developers
  • Isolated testing environments

Multi-tier Applications

  • Frontend tier on external network
  • Application tier on internal network
  • Database tier on separate internal network

Best Practices

Security

  • Use internal networks for sensitive services
  • Limit external network exposure
  • Implement security groups for network access control

Organization

  • Plan your network architecture in advance
  • Use meaningful names for networks
  • Document network configurations

Performance

  • Monitor network traffic patterns
  • Optimize network routes for critical services
  • Consider bandwidth requirements when designing network layout