> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.megaport.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating an AWS Interconnect

> This help topic describes how to create an AWS Interconnect from Megaport, starting either in the Megaport Portal or in the AWS Console.

> [!NOTE]
>
> AWS Interconnect from Megaport is in Preview. Features, supported locations, and connection speeds are limited during the Preview and are subject to change. For more information, see [Preview release](/aws-interconnect#preview-release).

This topic describes how to create an AWS Interconnect from Megaport (AWS Interconnect). You can order an AWS Interconnect connection from either:

* **Megaport Portal** -- You design and order the connection in the Portal. Megaport issues an activation key, which you then enter into the AWS Console.
* **AWS Console** -- You order the connection in AWS. AWS issues an activation key, which you then paste into the Megaport Portal.

Megaport and AWS then coordinate the connection and set the VLANs, IP addressing, maximum transmission unit (MTU), and BGP parameters automatically.

## Before you begin

Set up your Megaport Portal account before you order. You can create services only in billing markets where you are registered. For more information, see [Setting Up a Megaport Account](/setting-up).

To create an AWS Interconnect, you need:

* **An AWS account with the right permissions** -- You need access to the AWS Direct Connect and AWS Interconnect services.
* **A Direct Connect gateway** -- This is the attach point for the AWS Interconnect on the AWS side. You can create one during setup in the AWS Console.
* **Your AWS account ID** -- You need this if you start in the Megaport Portal. It is the 12-digit ID of the AWS account that accepts the connection. Find it in the AWS Console under your account menu.
* **Your Megaport account identifier** -- You need this if you start in the AWS Console. For more information about locating your Megaport account identifier, see [Updating a Company Profile](/setting-up/company-profile).

For the AWS prerequisites, see [Getting started with AWS Interconnect - last mile](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/interconnect/latest/userguide/getting-started-lastmile.html#lastmile-prerequisites).

## Creating an AWS Interconnect

**Start in the Megaport Portal**

Use this procedure when you want to design the connection first and complete it in the AWS Console.

**To create an AWS Interconnect**

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the **Services** page.

2. Click **Add Service**, then select **AWS Interconnect**.

   The Create AWS Interconnect page opens. Complete the sections on this page to configure your AWS Interconnect. The order summary updates as you make selections. On wider screens, the summary appears in a panel on the right. On narrower screens, it appears in a bar at the bottom of the page that you can expand.

3. In the **Details** section, specify these fields:
   * **AWS Interconnect Name** -- Specify a name for the service, which appears in the Megaport Portal. For example, `aws-ic-ashburn`. You can change the name later, if needed.

   * **ASN** -- Specify the autonomous system number (ASN) used for BGP peering on the Megaport end of the AWS Interconnect, or keep the default, 133937. For most configurations, the default ASN is appropriate. You cannot change the ASN after you order the service.

   * **Service Level Reference** (optional) -- Specify a unique identifying number for your Megaport service to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number, unique customer ID, or purchase order number. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

4. In the **Starting Point** section, select **Start from Megaport**.

5. In the **Connection Details** section, specify these fields:

   * **AWS Account ID** -- Specify the AWS account for the AWS end of the AWS Interconnect.
   * **Location** -- Select the metro for the AWS Interconnect. Each option also shows the AWS Region it pairs with, for example, Ashburn and `us-east-1`.
   * **Bandwidth** -- Select a bandwidth. The available bandwidths depend on the location you select.

6. In the **Pricing** section, specify these fields:
   * **Contract Term** -- Select a contract term. Longer terms result in a lower monthly rate. *12 Months* is selected by default.
   * **Contract Renewal** -- Automatically renews the contract at the same price and term length when the current term ends. This is enabled by default. If you disable it, the contract rolls over to a month-to-month term at the end of the current term, without the term discount.

     For more information, see [Managing Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew).

7. In the **Resource Tags** section, add any tags you want to apply to this AWS Interconnect. Click ** Add New Tag**, then specify these fields:
   * **Key** -- Specify a lowercase string with a maximum length of 128 characters. Valid characters are letters, numbers, and `- . _ : / \`
   * **Value** -- Specify a string with a maximum length of 256 characters. Valid characters are letters, numbers, spaces, and `- . _ : @ / + \`
   > [!WARNING]
   >
   > Never include sensitive information in a resource tag. Sensitive information includes commands that return existing tag definitions and information that identifies a person or company.

8. Review the order summary, then click **Add AWS Interconnect**.\
   The newly created AWS Interconnect is added to your cart, ready for checkout.

9. Click **Review Order** to proceed through the checkout process, or click **Save** to save the configured services before placing the order.

10. Review the Important Information section and confirm agreement with the Service Agreements.

    If you do not have a promotion code, skip to the **Order Now** step. If you do have a promotion code, enter it into the **Enter discount code** field then click **Apply**. Alternatively, if a code already appears in the **Discounts** field, verify it is correct and click **Apply**.

    The promotional discount appears below the Standard Term discount.  This discount is not reflected in the Monthly Rate shown here, it is applied at the time of billing.  If an invalid or expired code causes an error with your order, contact your Megaport Account Manager for a replacement code.

    Add Promo Code

    If you entered an incorrect promotion code, you can remove it by clicking **Remove**.

    > [!NOTE]
    >
    > In addition to entering a promotion code manually, there are two other ways to apply promotion codes.
    >
    > * **Auto-apply** -- Megaport automatically applies the promotion code to your order. It appears automatically on the Checkout page.
    > * **Manual list** -- Eligible promotion codes appear at checkout for any applicable services in your cart. You can then select and apply them.

11. Click **Order Now**.

**To generate the activation key**

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the **Services** page.

2. On the newly created AWS Interconnect, click **Generate activation key**.

   An AWS Interconnect on the Services page with the Generate activation key button.

3. In the Activation Key dialog, copy the **AWS Activation Key**.\
   If you need to change the AWS account ID for the connection, click **Change AWS account ID**.

4. Click **Go to AWS to add the key** to open the AWS Console.

5. In the AWS Console, use the activation key to accept the connection.\
   For more information about accepting the connection in the AWS Console, see [Getting started with AWS Interconnect - last mile](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/interconnect/latest/userguide/getting-started-lastmile.html#lastmile-accept-interconnect).

**Start in the AWS Console**

Use this procedure when you want to start the order in the AWS Console.

**To create an AWS Interconnect**

1. In the AWS Console, create the interconnect.\
   For more information, see [Getting started with AWS Interconnect - last mile](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/interconnect/latest/userguide/getting-started-lastmile.html#lastmile-create-interconnect).

   When prompted:

   * Select Megaport as the partner.
   * Enter your Megaport account identifier in the **partner account ID** field.\
     For more information about locating your Megaport account identifier, see [Updating a Company Profile](/setting-up/company-profile).

2. Copy the activation key from AWS.

   > [!WARNING]
   >
   > The activation key is a single-use credential that Megaport uses during ordering but never stores. Treat it like a password.

3. In the Megaport Portal, go to the **Services** page.

4. Click **Add Service**, then select **AWS Interconnect**.

   The Create AWS Interconnect page opens. Complete the sections on this page to configure your AWS Interconnect. The order summary updates as you make selections. On wider screens, the summary appears in a panel on the right. On narrower screens, it appears in a bar at the bottom of the page that you can expand.

5. In the **Details** section, specify these fields:
   * **AWS Interconnect Name** -- Specify a name for the service, which appears in the Megaport Portal. For example, `aws-ic-ashburn`. You can change the name later, if needed.

   * **ASN** -- Specify the autonomous system number (ASN) used for BGP peering on the Megaport end of the AWS Interconnect, or keep the default, 133937. For most configurations, the default ASN is appropriate. You cannot change the ASN after you order the service.

   * **Service Level Reference** (optional) -- Specify a unique identifying number for your Megaport service to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number, unique customer ID, or purchase order number. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

6. In the **Starting Point** section, select **I ordered in AWS Console**.

7. Paste the activation key from your AWS order into the **AWS Activation Key** field, then click **Validate**.

   When the key is accepted, a **Connection Details** section appears, showing the metro, AWS Region, and bandwidth of the connection.

   If the Megaport Portal rejects the key, check that the key:

   * matches the key from your AWS order.
   * has not been used before.

8. In the **Pricing** section, specify these fields:
   * **Contract Term** -- Select a contract term. Longer terms result in a lower monthly rate. *12 Months* is selected by default.
   * **Contract Renewal** -- Automatically renews the contract at the same price and term length when the current term ends. This is enabled by default. If you disable it, the contract rolls over to a month-to-month term at the end of the current term, without the term discount.

     For more information, see [Managing Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew).

9. In the **Resource Tags** section, add any tags you want to apply to this AWS Interconnect. Click ** Add New Tag**, then specify these fields:
   * **Key** -- Specify a lowercase string with a maximum length of 128 characters. Valid characters are letters, numbers, and `- . _ : / \`
   * **Value** -- Specify a string with a maximum length of 256 characters. Valid characters are letters, numbers, spaces, and `- . _ : @ / + \`
   > [!WARNING]
   >
   > Never include sensitive information in a resource tag. Sensitive information includes commands that return existing tag definitions and information that identifies a person or company.

10. Review the order summary, then click **Add AWS Interconnect**.\
    The newly created AWS Interconnect is added to your cart, ready for checkout.

11. Click **Review Order** to proceed through the checkout process, or click **Save** to save the configured services before placing the order.

12. Review the Important Information section and confirm agreement with the Service Agreements.

    If you do not have a promotion code, skip to the **Order Now** step. If you do have a promotion code, enter it into the **Enter discount code** field then click **Apply**. Alternatively, if a code already appears in the **Discounts** field, verify it is correct and click **Apply**.

    The promotional discount appears below the Standard Term discount.  This discount is not reflected in the Monthly Rate shown here, it is applied at the time of billing.  If an invalid or expired code causes an error with your order, contact your Megaport Account Manager for a replacement code.

    Add Promo Code

    If you entered an incorrect promotion code, you can remove it by clicking **Remove**.

    > [!NOTE]
    >
    > In addition to entering a promotion code manually, there are two other ways to apply promotion codes.
    >
    > * **Auto-apply** -- Megaport automatically applies the promotion code to your order. It appears automatically on the Checkout page.
    > * **Manual list** -- Eligible promotion codes appear at checkout for any applicable services in your cart. You can then select and apply them.

13. Click **Order Now**.

## What happens next

After you complete the creation steps, Megaport and AWS set up the connection.

The service moves through a series of statuses in the Megaport Portal. The service is *Live* when the whole connection is up. For more information about service statuses, see [Monitoring Services for Status](/monitoring/service-status).

The AWS Interconnect is attached to the specified Direct Connect gateway. You can track the same order in the AWS Direct Connect Console.

After the AWS Interconnect is live, the next step is to connect your existing services to it. You can add a VXC from a Port, MCR, MVE, or NAT Gateway to the AWS Interconnect. For more information, see [Creating a Private VXC](/connections/private-vxc).

## Helpful references

* [AWS Interconnect from Megaport Overview](/aws-interconnect)
* [Creating a Private VXC](/connections/private-vxc)
* [Getting started with AWS Interconnect - last mile](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/interconnect/latest/userguide/getting-started-lastmile.html)
* [Managing Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew)
* [Monitoring Services for Status](/monitoring/service-status)
* [Setting Up a Megaport Account](/setting-up)
* [Updating a Company Profile](/setting-up/company-profile)


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