Google Cloud Cross-Cloud Network is Google’s networking solution for multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architectures. It addresses one of the biggest challenges in such environments: establishing consistent, secure, and performant network connections between different cloud providers and your own data center, without relying on fragile point-to-point connections.
What is Google Cloud Cross-Cloud Network?
The central building block is Network Connectivity Center (NCC), a hub-and-spoke network architecture for centrally managing VPC networks and hybrid and multi-cloud connections. Cross-Cloud Interconnect enables dedicated physical connections to other cloud providers such as AWS and Azure over Google’s global backbone network, avoiding the latency and bandwidth variability of the public internet. A partner variant of Cross-Cloud Interconnect is also available for connections to AWS.
For enterprises with mixed cloud architectures, Cross-Cloud Network creates a common network context: unified security policies via Cloud Firewall, consistent routing via Cloud Router, and centralized monitoring via the Network Intelligence Center and newer network insight capabilities. This simplifies compliance audits since network policies don’t need to be maintained separately in each cloud account. VPN-based connections are available as a more cost-effective alternative for less latency-sensitive workloads.
Integration with on-premises infrastructure is provided via Cloud Interconnect (dedicated lines) or Cloud VPN. For migration projects, Cross-Cloud Network is particularly valuable: workloads can be migrated step by step while connectivity between remaining on-premises systems and already-migrated cloud workloads is maintained. Partner Interconnect additionally enables more cost-effective connections through certified network providers.
Core Features
- Hub-and-spoke management of all connectivity resources via Network Connectivity Center
- Dedicated cloud-to-cloud connections via Cross-Cloud Interconnect, including partner variants
- Cloud Interconnect and Cloud VPN for connecting data centers and sites
- Centralized monitoring and troubleshooting via network insight capabilities
- Unified security policies across multiple cloud environments
Typical Use Cases
- Multi-cloud network architectures (e.g., AWS + GCP, Azure + GCP)
- Secure connection of on-premises data centers to Google Cloud
- Consistent security policies across multiple clouds
- Migration projects with continuous hybrid connectivity
Benefits
- Avoids latency and bandwidth variability of the public internet through dedicated connections
- Centralized, consistent management of network resources instead of siloed per-cloud-account solutions
- Flexible choice between dedicated lines and more cost-effective VPN connections depending on requirements
- Easier compliance through unified policy enforcement
Integration with innFactory
As a certified Google Cloud partner, innFactory supports the design and implementation of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud network architectures based on Google Cloud Cross-Cloud Network.
Contact us for consultation on your multi-cloud networking strategy.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Google Cloud Cross-Cloud Network?
Cross-Cloud Network is Google's umbrella term for networking solutions that connect Google Cloud securely and performantly to other cloud providers, data centers, and the internet. Its core component is Network Connectivity Center (NCC), a hub-and-spoke architecture for centrally managing connectivity.
When should I use Cross-Cloud Network?
Whenever workloads are distributed across Google Cloud and at least one other provider (such as AWS or Azure) or your own data center, and you need a consistent, low-latency connection. It's also valuable for phased cloud migrations, keeping on-premises and cloud workloads continuously connected.
What does Cross-Cloud Network cost?
Costs depend on throughput, the number and type of connections (such as Cross-Cloud Interconnect, Cloud Interconnect, Cloud VPN), and the provisioned capacity. Google Cloud's current pricing page is authoritative for binding calculations.
How does Cross-Cloud Network integrate with AWS or Azure?
Cross-Cloud Interconnect provides dedicated physical connections to AWS and Azure, provisioned either directly or through partners. VPN-based connections are also available as a more cost-effective option for less latency-sensitive use cases.
What is the difference between Network Connectivity Center and Cross-Cloud Interconnect?
Network Connectivity Center is the central management layer (hub-and-spoke) for all connectivity resources. Cross-Cloud Interconnect is a specific connection type within that framework, providing dedicated lines to other cloud providers.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Google Cloud (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Google Cloud.
