FlexTunnel – Knowledgebase

Knowledgebase Contents

What is Inter.link FlexTunnel?

Inter.link FlexTunnel provides a fast, automated way to connect to selected inter.link services without requiring physical ports, cross-connects or on-site installation.
Instead of establishing a physical connection to the inter.link network, FlexTunnel creates a virtual connection between your network and Inter.link over your existing infrastructure. This approach removes many of the logistical barriers associated with traditional physical connectivity and enables services to be activated quickly.
A primary use vase for FlexTunnel is accessing inter.link DDoS Protection from outside the inter.link network, allowing organizations to add carrier grade DDoS mitigation while retaining their existing network connectivity.

Why use FlexTunnel instead of a physical connection?

Establishing physical network connectivity can involve cross-connects, ports, on site work and coordination between multiple parties. FlexTunnel provides an alternative when you need access to supported inter.link services without deploying additional physical infrastructure. For organizations using inter.link DDoS Protection, FlexTunnel avoids the need for costly local tails or a physical presence in the same data center as inter.link. This enables access to carrier-grade DDoS mitigation while retaining existing network locations, upstream providers and architecture. Because connection is virtual and provisioned through an automated process, FlexTunnel can significantly reduce the time and operational effort required to get connected. FlexTunnel is designed for flexibility and rapid service deployment rather than as a replacement for permanent, high capacity physical connectivity.

Who is FlexTunnel designed for?

FlexTunnel is designed for organizations that want to access supported inter.link services without establishing a physical connection to the inter.link network. It is particularly relevant for:
  • ISP’s and network operators
  • Hosting and data center providers
  • Cloud and platform providers
  • Organizations requiring DDoS protection
  • Existing inter.link customers

How does FlexTunnel work with Inter.link DDoS Protection?

FlexTunnel provies the connectivity layer that enables customers outside the Inter.link network to use inter.link DDoS Protection When mitigation is required, affected traffic can be redirected to inter.link for scrubbing. Malicous traffic is filtered and clean traffic is returned to the customer via FlexTunnel. This allows organizations to access inter.link’s DDoS mitigation capabilities while retaining their existing upstream providers and network architecture. DDoS protection is ordered separately from FlexTunnel, with the selected DDoS Protection service determining the protection tier and features.

Do I need an Inter.link Port or physical cross-connect?

No, FlexTunnel is a virtual service and does not require a physical inter.link port, cross connect or on site installation. This makes it possible to access supported inter.link services without first establishing physical connectivity to the inter.link network.

How quickly can FlexTunnel be activated?

FlexTunnel is built around an automated provisioning process, removing many of the physical and logistical steps associated with traditional network connectivity. Once ordered through the inter.link portal, the service can be activated immediately allowing customers to begin integrating supported services quickly.

What are the benefits of FlexTunnel?

FlexTunnel provides a simpler and more flexible away to access selected inter.link services without establishing a physical connectivity.

Key benefits include:

  • No physical cross connect required
  • Fast Activation
  • Flexible service access
  • DDoS Protection access
  • Maintain network autonomy
  • Additional connectivity option

Does FlexTunnel replace physical connectivity?

No. FlexTunnel is designed as a flexible service integration layer rather than a replacement for permanent, high-capacity physical connectivity. For workloads requiring sustained high throughput or strict end to end performance guarantees, physical connectivity may be the better option. FlexTunnel is best suited to use cases where rapid deployment, flexibility and virtual access to supported inter.link services are the priority.

Can I use FlexTunnel for DDoS Protection without changing my existing network provider?

Yes. One of the primary use cases for FlexTunnel is enabling access to inter.link DDoS protection while allowing you to retain your existing upstream connectivity. Traffic can be redirected to the inter.link when mitigation is required, scrubbed by the inter.link DDoS protection service and returned to your network via FlexTunnel.

This provides a way to add DDoS mitigation without replacing your existing connectivity provider.

How is FlexTunnel priced?

FlexTunnel is priced based on the bandwidth configured for each tunnel, with a monthly service fee and one time connection fee.

The service is priced separately from any Inter.link service consumed through FlexTunnel. For example, when FlexTunnel is used with inter.link DDoS protection, the selected DDoS protection service is billed separately.

How do I get started with FlexTunnel?

FlexTunnel can be ordered via the inter.link portal and does not require a physical connectivity to the inter.link network. Contact our team to determine if FlexTunnel is right for your network.