Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC) is the logically isolated virtual network where you configure how AWS resources are addressed and connected. A VPC spans one AWS Region; its subnets each belong to one Availability Zone, and their route tables determine where traffic can go. “Private” describes a network path—not a guarantee that a workload is secure or unreachable through every route.
What Amazon VPC is—and what it is not
A VPC is an addressable network environment defined in AWS. You choose its IP address ranges, divide those ranges into subnets, and configure routes and connectivity for resources such as instances. AWS describes it as similar to a traditional network operated in a data center. AWS: What is Amazon VPC?
The VPC is the larger network; a subnet is a smaller IP address range within it. The VPC is regional, while each subnet is confined to a single Availability Zone (AZ). A VPC can therefore contain subnets in multiple AZs in the same Region. AWS: VPC basics
Amazon VPC is the network layout and connectivity framework, not a security setting that makes everything inside it safe by default. Routing determines paths; security groups and network access control lists (network ACLs) are separate VPC security controls. A sound design uses the needed routing and security controls together.
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How Regions, Availability Zones, subnets, and routes fit together
- Choose a Region. A VPC belongs to one AWS Region and spans that Region’s Availability Zones.
- Choose subnet address ranges. Each subnet uses part of the VPC’s IP address space and resides in one AZ. Place resources in the subnet and AZ appropriate to the design.
- Associate a route table with each subnet. The association can be explicit or inherited from the VPC’s main route table. AWS states, “Each subnet in your VPC must be associated with a route table.” AWS: Subnet route tables
- Read each route as a destination and target. The route table specifies which target should receive traffic for a destination range. A local route supports communication within the VPC; other routes may point to gateways or other network connections.
Every VPC has a main route table. A subnet without an explicit route-table association uses it. In a newly created nondefault VPC, the main table contains a local route by default. AWS describes retaining the main table in its original state and explicitly associating subnets with custom route tables as one way to manage routing. AWS: Subnet route tables
When a subnet is public or private
The route table—not the mere presence of a server or IP address—determines whether a subnet is public. AWS defines a public subnet as one with a direct route to an internet gateway. A private subnet has no direct route to an internet gateway. A private subnet can still have other routes, including a route through a NAT device for outbound internet access. AWS: VPC configuration options
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| Subnet design | Internet route | Typical use and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Direct route to an internet gateway; for example, IPv4 0.0.0.0/0 can target that gateway. |
Use when a resource needs a direct internet path and its configuration supports it. The route alone does not guarantee that the resource is reachable: other addressing and security settings also matter. |
| Private, no internet egress | No direct route to an internet gateway and no intermediary internet path. | Use when the workload does not need internet access. This avoids adding an internet egress path, but AWS service access may be provided separately through VPC endpoints. |
| Private, with outbound internet access | No direct route to an internet gateway; outbound traffic can use a NAT device. | Allows instances in the private subnet to initiate outbound internet traffic while preventing resources on the internet from connecting to those instances. NAT gateways and public IPv4 addresses can affect cost. |
IPv4 and IPv6 routes are distinct. An IPv4 default route such as 0.0.0.0/0 does not cover IPv6; an IPv6 default route uses ::/0 and must be configured separately if needed. AWS: Subnet route tables
Internet gateways, NAT gateways, and private AWS service access
Internet gateway
An internet gateway connects a VPC to the internet. A route to it provides a path for matching traffic; it does not, by itself, establish every other condition needed for a resource to communicate with the internet.
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NAT gateway
A NAT gateway provides a path for instances in a private subnet to send outbound traffic to the internet while preventing internet-originated connections to those instances. AWS currently recommends deploying a NAT gateway in each active Availability Zone for production configurations. That is AWS guidance to consider alongside the application’s availability needs and the added cost; it is not a universal rule for every workload. AWS: VPC configuration options
VPC endpoints
VPC endpoints connect a VPC privately to supported AWS services without requiring an internet gateway or NAT device. They can be useful when a workload needs AWS service access but should not rely on a general internet route. AWS: What is Amazon VPC?
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Other ways VPCs connect
The right connection depends on what needs to communicate. A VPC endpoint provides access to supported AWS services; VPC peering connects resources in two VPCs; and a transit gateway acts as a hub for VPCs and VPN or Direct Connect connections. VPC Flow Logs capture information about IP traffic to and from network interfaces. These are distinct capabilities rather than interchangeable substitutes. AWS: What is Amazon VPC?
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Route tables are not security policies
A route table chooses a path for traffic by matching destinations to targets. Security groups and network ACLs are separate security controls in a VPC. Configuring a route does not by itself decide whether a connection is permitted, and a subnet’s public or private label should not be treated as a complete security assessment. AWS’s VPC basics documentation identifies these controls but the distinctions covered here do not describe their detailed behavior. AWS: VPC basics
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Default VPC or custom VPC?
AWS provides a default VPC in each Region, making it possible to get started without first designing a complete network. A custom VPC gives you control over address ranges, subnet placement, routes, and network separation. Neither option is automatically secure: the result depends on its configuration. AWS-managed services may use a default VPC when one is available, so not every AWS resource requires you to create a VPC manually. AWS: What is Amazon VPC?
Quotas to know when planning
AWS documents the following default Amazon VPC quotas. They are service limits, not recommended architecture sizes; AWS says quotas are per Region unless noted otherwise, and several can be increased. Check the live quota page for the applicable Region and current values before planning around them. AWS: Amazon VPC quotas
| Resource or setting | Default quota | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| VPCs | 5 per Region | Adjustable. |
| Subnets | 200 per VPC | Default quota. |
| Route tables | 200 per VPC | A subnet can be associated with only one route table. |
| Security-group rules | 60 inbound and 60 outbound | Inbound and outbound quotas are enforced separately. |
| Network ACL rules | 20 inbound and 20 outbound | Can be increased to 40 each; AWS notes a possible performance impact. |
What Amazon VPC costs
There is no additional charge for using a VPC itself. Costs can arise from components and usage in the architecture, including NAT gateways, IP Address Manager, traffic mirroring, Reachability Analyzer, Network Access Analyzer, and public IPv4 addresses. The applicable charges depend on factors such as Region and usage; check AWS’s current pricing rather than relying on an older rate. AWS: What is Amazon VPC?
How to manage a VPC
AWS supports managing VPCs through the AWS Management Console, command-line interface (CLI), software development kits (SDKs), and Query API. Choose based on whether you need a visual workflow, repeatable commands, application integration, or direct API calls; no physical accessory is required. AWS: What is Amazon VPC?
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