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AWS PrivateLink is a set of ways to connect a VPC privately to selected AWS services, services offered by other AWS accounts, shared resources, and virtual appliances. It uses private IP addresses for the connection, so that path does not require an internet gateway or NAT device. The right endpoint type depends on what you need to reach and how traffic should be routed.
What is AWS PrivateLink?
Amazon Web Services describes PrivateLink as “a highly available, scalable technology that you can use to privately connect your VPC to services and resources as if they were in your VPC.” (AWS PrivateLink overview)
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In practice, a consumer creates a VPC endpoint for a supported destination. For an interface endpoint, AWS places requester-managed network interfaces in selected subnets and assigns them private IP addresses. DNS can resolve service requests to those IPs; when private DNS is enabled, an application can keep using the service’s ordinary hostname while the request resolves through the endpoint. (AWS guide to accessing services through PrivateLink)
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PrivateLink changes the route to the selected destination; it does not mean the VPC as a whole lacks internet connectivity. Its benefit is that traffic to that endpoint can use private addresses without requiring an internet gateway or NAT device on that path. It is not accurate to treat “stays off the AWS network” as the distinction: AWS says traffic routed through an internet gateway also remains within the AWS network.
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Which endpoint type should you use?
Start with the destination and traffic pattern. PrivateLink includes several endpoint patterns, but not every kind of VPC endpoint is a PrivateLink endpoint.
| What you need to reach | Endpoint pattern | How traffic is directed |
|---|---|---|
| A supported AWS service or a service offered by another AWS account | Interface endpoint | Network interfaces in selected subnets receive private IPs; DNS resolves requests to them. Private DNS can preserve the service hostname. |
| A fleet of virtual network appliances, such as security or inspection appliances | Gateway Load Balancer endpoint | Route tables direct traffic through the endpoint to the appliance fleet. |
| A resource shared from another VPC or an on-premises environment, such as a database, EC2 instance, application endpoint, domain-name target, or IP address | Resource endpoint | Provides private access to the shared resource and does not require a load balancer. |
| Multiple resources and services associated with a service network | Service-network endpoint | Provides access to the resources and services associated with that service network. |
| Amazon S3 or DynamoDB using a gateway endpoint | Gateway endpoint; not a PrivateLink endpoint | Uses a gateway endpoint and route-table entries rather than a PrivateLink interface. |
These endpoint patterns and their distinctions are described in AWS’s PrivateLink concepts, resource-access guide, and gateway endpoint documentation.
For AWS service traffic: interface endpoints
Choose an interface endpoint when a client in your VPC needs private connectivity to a supported AWS service or endpoint service. The endpoint’s network interfaces are placed in the subnets you select. Private DNS is useful when clients should continue connecting to the usual service hostname rather than use endpoint-specific DNS names.
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For traffic inspection: Gateway Load Balancer endpoints
Choose this pattern when traffic must pass through a fleet of virtual appliances, such as for security inspection, compliance, or policy enforcement. The endpoint works with route-table configuration, so the routing decision—not just DNS resolution—sends traffic through the appliances. See AWS’s Gateway Load Balancer endpoint guidance.
For directly shared resources or service networks
A resource endpoint can connect to an eligible resource shared with you without requiring the provider to put a load balancer in front of it. A service-network endpoint is the fit when access is organized around a service network that includes multiple resources or services. Check the applicable resource-sharing and service-network requirements in AWS’s resource-access documentation.
For S3 and DynamoDB: consider gateway endpoints
S3 and DynamoDB gateway endpoints are not PrivateLink. AWS says they have no additional endpoint charge, so they are worth considering when they meet the connectivity requirements. Do not choose an interface endpoint merely because it is also a VPC endpoint; compare the actual endpoint pattern your service supports.
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How do you create a consumer interface endpoint?
For a typical interface endpoint to an AWS service, use the VPC console’s endpoint creation flow, or manage the endpoint through the AWS CLI, CloudFormation, an SDK, or the API. The console labels and service availability can vary by Region; confirm the selected service is offered in the Region where you are building the VPC.
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- Select subnets and Availability Zones. Choose a subnet in each Availability Zone where you want endpoint network interfaces. Decide whether the deployment should span multiple zones based on availability needs and expected traffic.
- Configure DNS. If you want private DNS, enable DNS hostnames and DNS resolution for the VPC, then enable private DNS for the endpoint where supported. Clients can then continue using the ordinary service hostname.
- Attach a security group. Set inbound rules on the endpoint network interface security group to allow the expected client traffic. Also verify that subnet network ACLs allow the required traffic.
- Check IP-version support and endpoint policies. Use IPv6 only if the service and endpoint configuration support it. If the service supports endpoint policies, review whether a policy should further restrict access.
- Test name resolution and connectivity. From a client in the VPC, verify that the service hostname resolves as intended and that the application can reach the service with the configured network and service permissions.
AWS maintains a service integration list because support and configuration options can vary by service and Region. Its service list can also be queried to check endpoint policy support; consult the PrivateLink concepts documentation before assuming a service supports a particular endpoint configuration.
How does a provider expose a service to consumers?
An AWS account offering its own endpoint service backs it with a Network Load Balancer or Gateway Load Balancer, then creates and configures the endpoint service. The provider grants access to the AWS principals it permits and shares the endpoint service name and supported Availability Zones with prospective consumers. By default, consumers cannot connect until the provider adds permissions. The provider can also require manual acceptance of connection requests. Follow AWS’s guides to create an endpoint service and configure its access and settings.
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Endpoint services are regional unless cross-Region access is enabled. AWS recommends at least two Availability Zones for low latency and fault tolerance in its NLB provider setup guidance. In cross-account designs, matching Availability Zone names do not necessarily identify the same physical zone; AWS recommends using Availability Zone IDs when consistent identification matters.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What security controls still apply?
PrivateLink limits network reachability to selected services or resources over private addresses; it does not replace authorization or network controls. Plan for the relevant controls on both sides of the connection:
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- Service authorization: continue to use the service’s IAM or other authorization mechanisms. An endpoint connection alone does not grant permission to perform service actions.
- Endpoint policies: use these where the service supports them to restrict requests made through the endpoint.
- Provider access controls: endpoint service permissions determine which principals may connect; manual acceptance can add a provider review step.
- Addressing: confirm that the service and endpoint configuration support IPv6 before designing around IPv6.
AWS notes that services accept consumer connections automatically through the endpoint and cannot initiate requests to resources through that endpoint. This describes who can initiate a connection through this path; it is not a claim that other network paths or permissions are unnecessary. See the AWS service-access guide.
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What does PrivateLink cost, and what should you compare?
PrivateLink is not automatically cheaper than a public service endpoint or a NAT-based design. AWS pricing for interface endpoints includes hourly charges by Availability Zone and per-GB data-processing charges. Gateway Load Balancer endpoints also have hourly and per-GB components. S3 and DynamoDB gateway endpoints have no additional endpoint charge. Current numeric rates vary, so check the live AWS PrivateLink pricing page for the relevant Region.
For a meaningful comparison, use your expected number of endpoints and enabled Availability Zones, data volume, Region, and applicable data-transfer charges. Also compare whether a gateway endpoint is suitable for S3 or DynamoDB rather than comparing only the price of two PrivateLink configurations.
Quick Recap
What should you verify before deployment?
- The destination is supported in the required Region and with the endpoint type you intend to use.
- The selected subnets and Availability Zones fit your availability and routing requirements.
- For cross-account services, the provider has granted access and supplied the correct endpoint service name and supported zones; use AZ IDs when matching physical zones across accounts.
- DNS settings, security groups, network ACLs, and any supported endpoint policy permit the expected traffic.
- IPv6 is supported by the service if you plan to use it.
- The projected endpoint-hours and processed data make sense against the actual alternatives and current regional rates.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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