In the world of cloud computing, latency is the invisible force that can determine the success or failure of an application. From augmented reality experiences requiring instantaneous feedback to mission-critical industrial applications where every millisecond counts, reducing latency is pivotal. As we journeyed through AWS’s vast edge computing landscape, it became evident that proximity to the end user is a game-changer. Enter AWS Local Zones.
Think of Local Zones as extensions of AWS’s massive infrastructure regions, tactically positioned closer to specific urban centers and densely populated areas. While the primary AWS Regions might be well-suited for hosting applications with a global user base, they aren’t always optimal for the ultra-low latency requirements of a specific locale.
This chapter will explain AWS Local Zones and review architectural patterns that have proven successful with customers through the following sections:
Introduction to AWS Local Zones
Connecting on-premise networks to AWS Local Zones with AWS Direct Connect
Routing internet traffic into AWS Local Zones
Introduction to AWS Local Zones
AWS Local Zones are extensions of an AWS Region into a metro area that does not have a full-scale region of its own. They are tied to a specific availability zone within their parent region through AWS’s robust, high-bandwidth private network.
Figure 6.1 – AWS Local Zones are each tied to a parent region
This means application elements running in AWS Local Zones benefit from quick, safe, and integrated access to a full suite of services in the main region.
AWS Local Zones are available in 33 metropolitan areas around the world—17 outside of the US (Auckland, Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Delhi, Hamburg, Helsinki, Kolkata, Lagos, Lima, Manila, Muscat, Perth, Querétaro, Santiago, Taipei, and Warsaw) and 16 in the US. AWS has plans to expand into 18 new locations in 16 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, India, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, and Vietnam.
The AWS Local Zones User Guide maintains an up-to-date list.