A cloud computing network is implemented by defining a plurality of network connectivity features for designing a virtual private cloud computing network within the cloud computing network. Each network connectivity feature has user-definable attributes and each network connectivity feature is translatable into a set of network element configuration statements that instantiate an action particular to the network connectivity feature. Usage rules specifying how the features can be used are defined for the cloud computing network. Selected features from the plurality of network connectivity features are accepted and assembled into a template for configuring the virtual private cloud computing network. The template for configuring the virtual private cloud computing network is validated against the usage rules. The virtual private cloud computing network is implemented in accordance with the validated template for configuring the virtual private cloud computing network.