> ## 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 a Private VXC

> This help topic describes how to connect a private VXC (Virtual Cross Connect) to a Port in the Megaport network.

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This topic describes how to connect a private Virtual Cross Connect (VXC) to a Port in the Megaport network.

With a Port configured, you can deploy a private VXC to connect to another Port local to the current company account. A private VXC is essentially a point-to-point Ethernet connection between an A-End (your Port) and a B-End (the Private VXC destination type). For example, you could create an interconnect within a data center to extend your private network backbone capability, or connect a production data center to a redundant data center for disaster recovery.

For more information about creating a private VXC for Megaport Cloud Router (MCR), see [Creating an MCR VXC](/mcr/mcr-vxc).

**To deploy a private VXC**

1. In the <Link href="https://portal.megaport.com">Megaport Portal</Link>, go to the **Services** page and select the Port you want to use.

   If you haven't already created a Port, see [Creating a Port](/connections/creating-port).

2. Select the originating Port (the A-End).

3. Click **+Connection**.

   <Image src="/images/connections/create-private-vxc.png" alt="Create private VXC" shadow={true} width={750} />

   Port details including the speed, location, and diversity zone are displayed.

   The diversity zone for an A-End service is visible after the service is deployed and available. The A-End diversity zone is also visible when ordering a diverse pair of Ports. When creating an order with multiple VXCs and diverse Ports, the Port diversity zone will be visible before deploying, preventing you from accidentally crossing zones. When ordering a single Port, you will not see the diversity zone until it is deployed, and not at all if the location does not support diversity.

4. Click **Private VXC**.

   <Note>
     The **Private VXC** tile is disabled in the following scenarios:

     * You only own one Port, MCR, or MVE. You cannot create a private connection with the same port at both ends.
     * You have more than one Port but no MCRs or MVEs, and the other owned Ports have untagged connections.
   </Note>

5. Select the target Port (the B-End) then click **Next**.

   For the B-End, the Port details including the speed, location, and diversity zone are displayed.

   The diversity zone for a B-End service is visible after the service is deployed and available. The B-End diversity zone is also visible when ordering a diverse pair of Ports. When creating an order with multiple VXCs and diverse Ports, the Port diversity zone will be visible before deploying, preventing you from accidentally crossing zones. When ordering a single Port, you will not see the diversity zone until it is deployed, and not at all if the location does not support diversity.

6. Specify the connection details:

   * **Connection Name** -- The name of your VXC to be shown in the <Link href="https://portal.megaport.com">Megaport Portal</Link>.

   * **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.

   * **Rate Limit** -- The speed of your connection in Mbps. The maximum VXC size is dynamically calculated based on network routes used to deliver the service. The calculation uses the Ports at each end of the VXC and bases calculations on the lowest rate.

     <Note>
       The whole path must be able to support the VXC speed. An error will appear if you try to specify a rate limit that is too high for the path to support.
     </Note>

   * **VXC State** -- Select **Enabled** or **Shut Down** to define the initial state of the connection. For more information, see [Shutting Down a VXC for Failover Testing](/connections/shut-down-vxc).

     <Note>
       If you select **Shut Down**, traffic will not flow through this service and it will behave as if it was down on the Megaport network. Billing for this service will remain active and you will still be charged for this connection.
     </Note>

   * **Preferred A-End VLAN** -- Specify the 802.1q VLAN tag for this connection for the A-End.\
     Each VXC is delivered as a separate VLAN on your Port. This must be a unique VLAN ID on this Port and can range from 2 to 4093. If you specify a VLAN ID that is already in use, the system displays the next available VLAN number. The VLAN ID must be unique to proceed with the order. If you don’t specify a value, Megaport will assign one.

     <Note>
       You can select **Untagged** to deliver an untagged VLAN; however, this consumes the entire Port and prevents any other VXCs from being deployed on this Port.
     </Note>

   * **Preferred B-End VLAN** -- Specify the 802.1q VLAN tag for this connection that you will receive through the B-End VLAN.

     <Note>
       Selecting **Untagged** for the A-End and B-End provides point-to-point Ethernet connectivity between a pair of dedicated Ports, supporting the forwarding of both untagged and tagged frames (IEEE 802.1q and 802.1ad). Additionally, other protocols like MACsec (802.1ae) will also be forwarded. For supported protocols, frame types, and behaviors, see [Technical Specifications](/tech-specs).
     </Note>

   * **Minimum Term** -- Select No Minimum Term, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months, 48 Months, or 60 Months. Longer terms result in a lower monthly rate. *12 Months* is selected by default. Take note of the information on the screen to avoid early termination fees (ETF).

     Enable the [Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew/#auto-renew) option for services with a 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60-month term to automatically renew the contract at the same discounted price and term length at the end of the contract. If you don't renew the contract, at the end of the term,  the contract will automatically roll over to month-to-month contract for the following billing period, at the same price, without term discounts.

     For more information, see [VXC Pricing and Contract Terms](/finance/vxc-pricing) and [VXC, Megaport Internet, and IX Billing](/finance/billing-details).

   * **Resource Tags** -- You can use resource tags to add your own reference metadata to a Megaport service.\
     To add a tag:
     1. Click **Add Tags**.
     2. Click  **Add New Tag**.
     3. Enter details into the fields:
        * **Key** -- string maximum length 128. Valid values are a-z 0-9 \_ : . / \ -
        * **Value** -- string maximum length 256. Valid values are a-z A-Z 0-9 \_ : . @ / + \ - (space)
     4. Click **Save**.
        If you already have resource tags for that service, you can manage them by clicking **Manage Tags**.
     <Warning>
       Never include sensitive information in a resource tag. Sensitive information includes commands that return existing tag definitions and information that will identify a person or company.
     </Warning>

   <Image src="/images/connections/create-private-vxc-connection.png" alt="Create private VXC" shadow={true} width={600} />

7. Click **Next** to review the VXC connection summary, including price.

8. Click **Add VXC** to save the VXC.\
   Repeat these steps to configure more VXCs.

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.

    <Image src="/images/snippets/add-promo-code.png" alt="Add Promo Code" shadow={true} width={750} />

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

11. Click **Order Now**.

When the VXCs are deployed, you can view them in the Portal Services page. Note that the service identifier number is the same for the VXCs at both ends of the connection.

<Note>
  You can change the rate limit when a VXC is on a 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60-month term. For more information, see [Changing the Speed of a Termed VXC](/connections/vxc-termed-rate-change).
</Note>