How does Google Cloud Interconnect differ from a VPN?

Google Cloud Interconnect offers a dedicated, high-speed connection directly from a user's on-premises network to Google Cloud, which fundamentally differentiates it from a VPN. This dedicated connection bypasses the public internet and provides consistent performance, lower latency, and higher bandwidth, making it suitable for enterprises that need reliable connectivity for applications sensitive to performance and security.

In contrast, a VPN operates over the public internet, relying on encryption to secure data in transit. While VPNs can extend the private network across the internet securely, they may introduce variable latency and bandwidth limitations due to their dependence on internet infrastructure. This makes Interconnect particularly beneficial for organizations needing a stable, high-throughput connection for larger workloads or sensitive data transfers.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for network engineers when deciding on which connectivity solution to implement based on specific business requirements and workloads.