> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection.md).

# Create a Layer 2 Connection

The following steps are applicable to connections with two access points of IDCs or public clouds based on Layer 2 SDN backbone network.

If you need a Layer 2 network connection - the [**private connect**](/welcome/cloud-networking/overview/concepts.md#private-connect), you can follow the steps as shown below.

## Prerequisites

* You have [**signed up an account**](/welcome/platform/account-management/create-an-account.md) with your email and sign in to [**zenConsole**](https://console.zenlayer.com/).
* If you need to connect to your cloud services, your public cloud provider should be one of the following: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Tencent Cloud, Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, BytePlus, and Volcengine. See [**Public Cloud**](/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection/select-a-public-cloud-as-access-point.md) for details.

## Procedures

On the upper left corner of zenConsole, go to **Products** > **Cloud Networking** > **Private Connect L2** > [**Create Private Connect**](https://console.zenlayer.com/sdn/network/create/ptp).\
The overall steps of creating a private connect is shown below. For detailed operations, please refer to the links of specific chapters.

<figure><img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e3b881309074ba7759d97603b37e39f37e7bf16f%2Fcreate-private-connect-flow.svg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Create a Private Connect Flow</p></figcaption></figure>

### 1. Label Your Private Connect

Click the edit icon next to the label name to modify the label name of your private connect. You can also click **Add Description** to give the private connect a note.

### 2. Add Access Points

Select two access points as the source end and the destination end of your private connect.\
You may have the following options:

* [**Data Center**](/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection/select-a-data-center-as-access-point.md)
* [**Public Cloud**](/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection/select-a-public-cloud-as-access-point.md)
* [**IX Connect**](/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection/select-an-ix-connect-as-access-point.md)
* [**Partner Connect**](/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/create-a-layer-2-connection/select-a-partner-connect-as-access-point.md) — Equinix Fabric is available

In addition, a **key port** is used together with offline interconnection arrangements.

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>

* <mark style="color:blue;">A Layer 2 private connect cannot connect Tencent Cloud and Google Cloud to each other.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">For Alibaba Cloud and BytePlus, the two access points of a private connect cannot both be the same cloud.</mark>
  {% endhint %}

### 3. Configure Bandwidth Cap

Select the bandwidth cap between the two access points of your private connect. The larger the bandwidth cap, the lower the unit price — you're recommended to set a bigger one.

When connecting to a public cloud, you can configure the **public cloud access bandwidth** independently, so that it can **differ from the backbone bandwidth** rather than having to match it. When you need to scale, you can adjust the backbone bandwidth and the public cloud access bandwidth separately, without complex reconfiguration on the public cloud side.

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>

<mark style="color:blue;">The public cloud usually provides the access bandwidth specifications as follows, and you will be charged for the nearest specification higher than your configuration as the cloud connect bandwidth.</mark>

* <mark style="color:blue;">AWS: 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 300 Mbps, 400 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 10 Gbps.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Tencent Cloud: 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 300 Mbps, 400 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 8 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Google Cloud: 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 300 Mbps, 400 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps and 50 Gbps.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Alibaba Cloud: 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 300 Mbps, 400 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 8 Gbps and 10 Gbps.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Azure Cloud: 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps.</mark>
  {% endhint %}

### 4. Confirm Order and Pay for It

## What to Do Next

More operations offline or on the public cloud console.

### For the Public Cloud Point

[**Validate your cloud connect**](/welcome/cloud-networking/get-started/validate-connection-in-public-cloud.md) on the corresponding console of your public cloud provider.

### For the Data Center Point

Contact Zenlayer Support or your data center operator to establish a cross connect offline.

## Result

After your cross connect is established offline and your cloud connect is validated on the public cloud console, the states of corresponding points will change into **Active** and you will receive a notification email.

Once the states of both ends are **Active**, your private connect state will become **Active**.

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>

* <mark style="color:blue;">Billing for private connect starts as soon as the private connect is provisioned successfully. It does not wait for the source and destination end points to become active.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Billing for your port will start:</mark>
  * <mark style="color:blue;">when the port is active.</mark>
  * <mark style="color:blue;">15 days after you submit the order – whether or not your cross connect has been established.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Billing for your cloud connect will start:</mark>\ <mark style="color:blue;">Once you have validated your cloud connect on the public cloud console.</mark>
  {% endhint %}