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| lastupdated | 2026-03-17 | ||
| keywords | direct link, direct link dedicated, direct link connect | ||
| subcollection | dl |
{{site.data.keyword.attribute-definition-list}}
{: #get-started-with-ibm-cloud-dl}
Use {{site.data.keyword.dl_short}} to seamlessly connect your on-premises resources to your cloud resources. The speed and reliability of {{site.data.keyword.dl_short}} extends your organization’s data center network and offers more consistent, higher-throughput connectivity, keeping traffic within the IBM Cloud network. {: shortdesc}
{{site.data.keyword.dl_short}} highlights include:
- Free global routing with bring your own IP (BYIOP) support
- Flexible bandwidth options (1, 2, 5, and 10 Gbps)
- Integrated support for virtual routing, dynamic path selection, and VPC connectivity
- Metered billing with no price increase compared to Direct Link on Classic (1.0)
- Automated ordering experience through API integration with partners
{: #get-started-with-direct-link-connect}
Use a service provider to quickly establish and deliver connectivity to IBM Cloud locations. These service providers are already connected to the IBM Cloud network that uses multi-tenant, high capacity links (also known as network-to-network interfaces, or NNI).
To get started using {{site.data.keyword.dl_full_notm}} Connect, follow these instructions for ordering the service.
{: #get-started-with-direct-link-dedicated}
Terminate a single-tenant, fiber-based, cross-connect into your own IBM Cloud Private network connection. This offering is also used by colocation facilities that are next to IBM Cloud PoPs and data centers. To get started with {{site.data.keyword.dl_full_notm}} Dedicated, follow these instructions for ordering the service.
When ordering Direct Link Dedicated, you can enable MACsec to secure Ethernet connections between your on-premises network and IBM Cloud. Direct Link now supports MACsec encryption and BGP MD5 authentication using IBM Cloud Secrets Manager for key management. Secrets Manager is the recommended alternative to Hyper Protect Crypto Services (HPCS) and Key Protect, providing centralized secret management with built-in versioning, rotation, and access control. For more information, see Planning for the Direct Link MACsec feature.
{: #learn-more}
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IBM Cloud highly recommends that you establish a second, diverse direct link to prevent outages, whether unplanned, or planned due to maintenance. For more information, see Models for diversity and redundancy in Direct Link.
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If you require a diverse, redundant, or multi-cloud deployment for Direct Link Connect, see Alternatives for your Direct Link Connect deployment.
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For more information about {{site.data.keyword.dl_short}} offerings, see the FAQs.
Currently, a migration path does not exist from {{site.data.keyword.dlc_short}} offerings to {{site.data.keyword.dl_short}}. You must order a new {{site.data.keyword.dl_short}} Dedicated or {{site.data.keyword.dl_short}} Connect connection. {: note}