Amazon Enhances Cloud Networking Tools

Amazon Web Services has introduced a set of free networking tools that will make it easier for users to manage secure connections between their data centers and Amazon's EC2 and S3 cloud computing platforms. The tools include a new graphical interface that will help users configure "virtual private clouds" using four predefined network architectures.

Amazon web evangelist Jeff Barr described the new features in a blog post, describing the new release as "one that may very well change that way that you think about EC2 and how it can be put to use in your environment."

"You can now create a network topology in the AWS cloud that closely resembles the one in your physical data center including public, private, and DMZ subnets," Barr writes. "Instead of dealing with cables, routers, and switches you can design and instantiate your network programmatically. You can use the AWS Management Console (including a slick new wizard), the command line tools, or the APIs. This means that you could store your entire network layout in abstract form, and then realize it on demand."

The new tools are designed to boost usage of Amazon's Virtual Private Cloud feature, which lets users provision a private, isolated section of the AWS cloud where they can launch resources in a virtual network. Private clouds are being boosted by many of Amazon's competitors as a more secure option than the public cloud.