peering-toolbox:what-is-peering:what_is_a_network_operator
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peering-toolbox:what-is-peering:what_is_a_network_operator [2022/05/16 17:12] – [Peering] philip | peering-toolbox:what-is-peering:what_is_a_network_operator [2023/03/27 17:36] (current) – [Peering] philip | ||
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====== What is a Network Operator ====== | ====== What is a Network Operator ====== | ||
- | A network operator is an entity which is running a TCP/IP based network infrastructure, | + | A network operator is an entity which is running a TCP/IP based network infrastructure, |
* **end users**: these end users could be residential, | * **end users**: these end users could be residential, | ||
* **other network operators**: | * **other network operators**: | ||
- | Network operators have a number of important goals to make their existence sustainable (whether as a commercial entity or a Research & Education network). | + | Network operators have a number of important goals to make their existence sustainable (whether as a service provider, enterprise or other commercial entity, or a Research & Education network). |
These goals are: | These goals are: | ||
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===== Internet Resources ===== | ===== Internet Resources ===== | ||
- | A network operator will have their **own** Internet resources, namely | + | A network operator will have their **own** Internet resources. This means that they have obtained |
Entities without their own Internet resources are not considered network operators for the purposes of this toolbox as they cannot participate in the activities being described here without those independent resources. | Entities without their own Internet resources are not considered network operators for the purposes of this toolbox as they cannot participate in the activities being described here without those independent resources. | ||
- | Internet resources are obtainable from the Regional Internet Registries ([[https:// | + | Internet resources are obtainable from the Regional Internet Registries ([[https:// |
===== Access ===== | ===== Access ===== | ||
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The vast majority of content consumed by Internet users today is made up of social media and videos. This content is distributed by the multi-national content providers and content distribution networks. | The vast majority of content consumed by Internet users today is made up of social media and videos. This content is distributed by the multi-national content providers and content distribution networks. | ||
- | To provide the highest bandwidth and highest quality access to this content, a network operator positions their network | + | To provide the highest bandwidth and highest quality access to this content, a network operator positions their infrastructure |
===== Peering ===== | ===== Peering ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | (UPDATED) | ||
+ | |||
Peering is the connection of one network operator to another network operator to exchange traffic originated by each network operator. | Peering is the connection of one network operator to another network operator to exchange traffic originated by each network operator. | ||
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- [[peering-toolbox/ | - [[peering-toolbox/ | ||
- | Peering is described in more detail in the [[peering-toolbox/ | + | Peering is described in more detail in the [[peering-toolbox/ |
===== Transit ===== | ===== Transit ===== | ||
Transit is the purchasing of Internet access by a network operator from another network operator (known as their upstream provider). | Transit is the purchasing of Internet access by a network operator from another network operator (known as their upstream provider). | ||
- | The vast majority of transit attracts traffic charges, with charges being levied on traffic levels (typically measured in US$ per Mbps), rather than outright volume (as still happens in a few locations). | + | Transit is the first thing a newcomer network operator will require when they are establishing their Internet connectivity. |
+ | |||
+ | Transit costs money and it is usually a significant expense for any entity wishing to gain Internet access. | ||
+ | Transit is described in more detail in the [[peering-toolbox/ | ||
===== Costs ===== | ===== Costs ===== | ||
Network Operators strive to minimise the cost of access to the content their end users demand. | Network Operators strive to minimise the cost of access to the content their end users demand. | ||
- | Transit costs money, peering does not (after the initial set-up), which means that network operators strive to peer as much as possible. Transit is considered a last resort, only to be used for low volume content sources | + | Transit costs money, peering does not (after the initial set-up), which means that network operators strive to peer as much as possible. Transit |
- | It is estimated today that around 80% of all traffic for a typical access provider can be obtained by peering. (This is based on observations of real traffic profiles by the author.) | + | It is estimated today that around 80% of all traffic for a typical access provider can be obtained by peering. (This is based on observations of real traffic profiles by the author |
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peering-toolbox/what-is-peering/what_is_a_network_operator.1652685138.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/05/16 17:12 by philip