PacketFabric

What PacketFabric is

PacketFabric is a network services platform for enterprise IT teams connecting on-premises environments, colocation sites, public clouds, and SaaS providers. Its hybrid cloud service offers hosted and dedicated connections from hundreds of data centers, with bandwidth from 50Mbps to 100Gbps. PacketFabric describes its private optical network as having more than 65 Tbps of capacity, and each network port supports up to 4,000 virtual circuits. Listed cloud partners include AWS Direct Connect, Google Cloud Interconnect, Azure ExpressRoute, IBM Direct Link, Oracle FastConnect, Salesforce Express Connect, Markley, and Webair. Teams can provision services and Internet Exchange connections through a self-service web portal, or automate service management with a standards-based REST API and Terraform provider. PacketFabric also supports multicloud use, VPN management, network monitoring, and infrastructure as code. The service is delivered as SaaS and is available through web and API. PacketFabric is paid, with pricing handled on request; its listed plan has month-to-month to 36-month terms. Cloud connectivity requires a physical cross-connect to the access port, and dedicated connections require a provider LOA and may take several days to provision. Support is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Who it suits

PacketFabric suits enterprise IT teams that need to connect on-premises, colocation, and public-cloud environments. It is also relevant to teams seeking API or Terraform automation, multicloud connectivity, VPN management, or network monitoring.

Limits

There is no free plan. Cloud connectivity requires a physical cross-connect; dedicated cloud connections also require a cloud-provider LOA and can take several days to provision.

Getting started

1. Visit https://packetfabric.com/network-services/.
2. Use the web portal or API to access the service.
3. Arrange a physical cross-connect between your equipment and the access port for cloud connectivity.
4. For a dedicated cloud connection, obtain the cloud-provider LOA and allow several days for provisioning.
5. Review pricing and terms through the PacketFabric Portal.

Verdict

Choose PacketFabric if your enterprise needs automated cloud, Internet, or point-to-point connectivity across hybrid environments. Its portal, API, and Terraform provider support service provisioning and management. Look elsewhere if you cannot arrange the required physical cross-connect or need dedicated cloud service sooner than its provisioning process allows.