Completing the connection

After you submit your Direct Link Dedicated order, the Direct Link table indicates an LOA creation in progress connection status. Click the name of the connection to open its details page. Then, view the Actions section to see whether you have any pending actions.

Here's how the process works:

1. IBM Cloud uploads a Letter of Authorization (LOA) containing a Connecting Facility Assignment (CFA) within 24 hours. In turn, the connection status changes to Waiting LOA review. Currently, you can click the corresponding buttons to preview and accept the LOA.

2. After you accept the LOA and download it, the connection status changes to Waiting completion notice upload. Now take the LOA document to your carrier and get the completion notice (Example). To do so, you can:

   • Supply the LOA/CFA to your colocation provider and have them order a cross-connect and any required inter-campus connectivity.
   • Supply the LOA/CFA to your service provider and have them order a third-party cross-connect, as well as the circuit between your on-premises and the appropriate Meet Me Room.

   IBM Cloud will not order a cross-connect on a customer's behalf.

3. After you receive the completion notice from your carrier, upload it. The completion notice must be in PDF format with the name completion_notice.pdf for the automation to process it properly. The specific connection shows an option in the IBM Cloud console to upload the completion notice. Notice that the connection status changes to Completion notice review in progress.

4. The IBM Cloud team reviews the completion notice and accepts it. The IBM Cloud team then places an order for the fiber to be installed between the patch panel/port mentioned in the LOA and the device port. This process can take 1-4 business days, depending on how quickly the site provider finishes the request. This completes the physical-layer portion of the direct link and the connection status changes to Provisioned.

5. If the MACsec feature is enabled, ensure that a secure connection is established on your MACsec-capable device before configuring and establishing the BGP session. Because MACsec configurations can vary across different device manufacturers, it is essential to consult your device’s MACsec documentation for proper guidance on securing the connection. Additionally, verify that the keys configured on your MACsec-capable device align with the keys provided during the HPCS instance key setup for your IBM Cloud Direct Link.

6. Configure the BGP parameters on your Edge router for BGP session establishment. After this completes, the BGP status indicates Established and Link status indicates Up. It can take up to 30 minutes for the link status to update.

If you decide to cancel your direct link, remember to disconnect the cross-connect router with the site provider; otherwise, you will continue to be charged for the cross-connect.