We launched AWS Client VPN last year so that you could use your OpenVPN-based clients to securely access your AWS and on-premises networks from anywhere (read Introducing AWS Client VPN to Securely Access AWS and On-Premises Resources to learn more). As a refresher, this is a fully-managed elastic VPN service that scales the number of connections up and down according to demand. It allows you to provide easy connectivity to your workforce and your business partners, along with the ability to monitor and manage all of the connections from one console. You can create Client VPN endpoints, associate them with the desired VPC subnets, and set up authorization rules to enable your users to access the desired cloud resources.

New Desktop Client for AWS Client VPN

Today we are making it even easier for you to connect your Windows and MacOS clients to AWS, with the launch of the desktop client by AWS. These applications can be installed on your desktop or laptop, and support mutual authentication, username/password via Active Directory, and the use of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). After you use the client to establish a VPN connection, the desktop or laptop is effectively part of the configured VPC, and can access resources as allowed by the authorization rules.

The client applications are available at no charge, and can be used to establish connections to any AWS region where you have an AWS Client VPN endpoint. You can currently create these endpoints in the US East (N. Virginia), US East (Ohio), US West (N. California), US West (Oregon), Canada (Central), Europe (Ireland), Europe (London), Europe (Frankfurt), Europe (Stockholm), Asia Pacific (Mumbai), Asia Pacific (Singapore), Asia Pacific (Seoul), Asia Pacific (Sydney), and Asia Pacific (Tokyo) Regions.

— Jeff;