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AWS Network Interface (AWS ENIs) or Elastic Network Interfaces are virtual network cards that are attached to EC2 instances. They facilitate network connectivity. AWS Network Interfaces can be connected to multiple instances to allow them to communicate on two different subnets.
What is AWS Elastic Network Interface (AWS-ELNI)?
An AWS Elastic network interface is a logical component that represents a virtual network card within the virtual private cloud (VPC). The following characteristics are available for AWS Network Interface:
A primary private IPv4 address for a user’s VPC
One Elastic IP Address (IPv4) for each private IPv4 Address
One or more secondary IPv4 addresses from a user’s VPC
A description
A destination/source check flag
One public IPv4 Address
One or more security groups
A MAC address
One or more IPv6 addresses
AWS Network Interfaces are able to be created, configured and attached to instances within the same availability zone. AWS services may also manage network interfaces that are requested by users. These network interfaces are not managed by users. They allow users access to other services and resources.
An AWS ENI can either be attached to an instance, or detached from an example and attached to another instance. When a network instance moves from one instance to another, the network traffic is rerouted towards the new instance.
These steps will help you create an AWS ENI.
Open the Amazon EC2 console
From the navigation pane, click on Network Interfaces
Click on Create network interface
Optionally, you can add a descriptive name to Description
You can choose from IPv4-only, IPv6–only, or dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 subnets. The type of subnet that you choose will affect the next option.
You can do one of the following to get a Private IPv4 Address:
Click on Auto-assign to allow Amazon EC2 choose an IPv4 address via the internet.
Click on Custom to enter an IPv4 address you have selected from the subnet.
You can do either one of the following to get an IPv6 address
If you don’t wish to assign an IPv6 address for the network interface, select None
Select Auto-assign if you want Amazon EC2 choose an IPv6 adress from the subnet.
Select Custom to choose and enter an IPv6 Address from the Subnet
You can also choose an Elastic Fabric Adapter.
Choose one or more security groups
You can also choose to add a new tag for each tag by selecting Add New Tag and entering a tag key as well as an optional tag value
Click on Create network interface
How do you implement AWS Network Interface
Because AWS ENIs are assigned dynamically, it is common to use them in failover in network design. This will allow you transfer the service to the standby servers if the primary fails, ensuring high availability.
This pattern can be achieved with AWS ENIs by creating a secondary ENI instance. You will then use it as the switch and link it to the primary server. You can switch the ENI instance over manually or by using a script.
AWS Trusted advisor is a service that can help you optimize performance, cost, and security when you build your infrastructure on AWS cloud. Watch the AWS eLearning video to learn how to isolate instances with AWS Network Interfaces.
Get started on your cloud learning journey by getting an AWS certification
You can start by demonstrating your cloud skills and knowledge by passing the CLF-C01 AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. The exam costs US$100 and is only for those who meet the following criteria:
AWS cloud familiarity for at least 6 months
Understanding IT services and their use in the AWS cloud platform
Understanding the key AWS services and their use cases, pricing models, billings, security aspects and the impact of cloud computing on businesses
NetCom Learning can help you expand your career options
NetCom Learning offers the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials course that can be extremely helpful to individuals who want to pass the CLF C01: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam to earn the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certificate. The course lasts 8 hours and costs US$ 675.
To learn more about Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and to see a demonstration of how to build and configure an EC2 instance, you can also take the course.
If your organization is preparing for cloud migration and needs to upskill its teams, you can read our blog on AWS Cloud Migration.