Let’s clearly differentiate these two AWS services in simple, practical terms:

AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM)

Simple Definition:
RAM allows you to share AWS resources (like VPC subnets, Transit Gateways, Route 53 Resolver rules, etc.) securely between multiple AWS accounts or within AWS Organizations.

Practical Example:

• You have two AWS accounts: Account-A (production) and Account-B (development).
• You create a subnet or Transit Gateway in Account-A.
• You want Account-B to use that subnet or Transit Gateway without creating another one.
• With RAM, you share these resources securely across accounts.

Key Benefits:

• Reduces duplication of resources.
• Simplifies multi-account management.
• Efficient resource sharing, lowering costs.
• Easy management of shared resources centrally.

Amazon VPC Lattice

Simple Definition:
VPC Lattice is an application networking service that simplifies secure service-to-service communication and connectivity across multiple VPCs and AWS accounts. It provides an easy way to manage routing, security, and monitoring for distributed microservices or applications.

Practical Example:

• You have multiple applications or microservices deployed across different VPCs and AWS accounts.
• You want secure communication between these applications/services without complex networking (no need for complicated VPC peering, Transit Gateways, or load balancers).
• With VPC Lattice, you easily define service discovery, routing, authentication, and security policies through a simplified interface.

Key Benefits:

• Simplifies cross-account and cross-VPC service-to-service connectivity.
• Easy management of network traffic routing and policy enforcement.
• Centralized security management for microservices.
• Reduces complexity in application networking.

Main Differences Simplified:

Quick Summary to Remember Clearly:

• AWS Resource Access Manager:
  • For infrastructure resource sharing across accounts (Subnets, Gateways, etc.).
• Amazon VPC Lattice:
  • For secure and simplified communication between applications/services across accounts and VPCs.

When to use what:

• Use RAM:
  If your goal is simply to share AWS resources like subnets or Transit Gateways between accounts.
• Use VPC Lattice:
  If you’re trying to securely connect multiple applications/microservices across accounts without complex networking.

Final Clarification (Simplified):

• RAM: Share infrastructure.
• VPC Lattice: Simplify secure app-to-app networking.

Rajesh Kumar

I’m a DevOps/SRE/DevSecOps/Cloud Expert passionate about sharing knowledge and experiences. I am working at Cotocus. I blog tech insights at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market tips at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at I reviewed , and SEO strategies at Wizbrand. 

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