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peering-toolbox:what-is-peering:what_is_an_internet_exchange_point [2022/08/19 21:05] – [What is an Internet Exchange Point] philippeering-toolbox:what-is-peering:what_is_an_internet_exchange_point [2023/04/30 15:24] (current) – [Commercial] philip
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 ====== What is an Internet Exchange Point ====== ====== What is an Internet Exchange Point ======
  
-An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is an //open// //neutral// interconnect where network operators can freely interconnect for the purpose of exchanging traffic. +An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is an //open// //neutral// interconnect where network operators can //freely// interconnect for the purpose of exchanging traffic. 
  
   * [[peering-toolbox/what-is-peering/what_is_an_internet_exchange_point#definitions|Definitions]]   * [[peering-toolbox/what-is-peering/what_is_an_internet_exchange_point#definitions|Definitions]]
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 **Neutral** means that the physical infrastructure provided for interconnecting networks is not owned or operated by any network operator who'd participate in the IXP. It is important that each member of the IXP has equal opportunity to participate and there is no perception of advantage for any one member. **Neutral** means that the physical infrastructure provided for interconnecting networks is not owned or operated by any network operator who'd participate in the IXP. It is important that each member of the IXP has equal opportunity to participate and there is no perception of advantage for any one member.
  
-IXPs are typically hosted in or by data centre or data housing organisations or other entities such as Universities who operate 24x7 data centre facilities. +**Freely** means that the network operator participating in the Internet Exchange Point can choose who they peer with according to their own business requirements. 
 + 
 +IXPs are typically hosted in or by data centre or data housing organisations or other entities such as Universities who operate [[peering-toolbox/terminology#x7|24x7]] data centre facilities. 
  
 ===== Participation ===== ===== Participation =====
  
-Any network operator can participate in an Internet Exchange Point.+(UPDATED)
  
-The only requirements are:+Any network operator can participate in an Internet Exchange Point. The only requirements are:
   - they have their own public IP address space   - they have their own public IP address space
   - they have their own public AS number   - they have their own public AS number
   - they have their own transit arrangements   - they have their own transit arrangements
 +  - they are able to configure and use [[:peering-toolbox/bgp-resources#what_is_bgp|BGP]] (the Border Gateway Protocol)
  
-IXPs are not limited to just commercial Internet Service Providers. Research & Education network operators, enterprises, content providers, gTLD and ccTLD DNS operators, content distribution networks, broadcasters, etc all participate in IXPs. The only requirements are the Internet resources mentioned above.+IXP participation is not limited to just commercial Internet Service Providers. Research & Education network operators, enterprises (small to multi-national), content providers, [[:peering-toolbox/terminology#gtld_cctld|gTLD]] and [[:peering-toolbox/terminology#gtld_cctld|ccTLD]] DNS operators, content distribution networks, Universities, broadcasters & media, etc all participate at IXPs. The only requirements are the Internet resources mentioned above.
  
 **Note**: Connecting to an IXP means only getting access to the other operators participating at the IXP. Connecting to an IXP does not mean getting a connection to the whole Internet - hence the requirement for IXP membership clearly stating that members must have their own transit arrangements. **Note**: Connecting to an IXP means only getting access to the other operators participating at the IXP. Connecting to an IXP does not mean getting a connection to the whole Internet - hence the requirement for IXP membership clearly stating that members must have their own transit arrangements.
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   * Independent power supplies with on-site backup (seamless battery backup with generators; diverse power feed from the grid)   * Independent power supplies with on-site backup (seamless battery backup with generators; diverse power feed from the grid)
   * Sufficient cooling (air-conditioning, as required)   * Sufficient cooling (air-conditioning, as required)
-  * Good protection from natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, wildfire, floods, volcanoes, cyclones). +  * Good protection from natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, wildfire, floods, volcanoes, cyclones). 
 +  * Good physical security (so that only the clients of the location have fully managed and verified access) 
  
 Given the large concentration of network operators present, these public interconnects are often considered critical infrastructure, and their reliable operation is often considered of national importance. Given the large concentration of network operators present, these public interconnects are often considered critical infrastructure, and their reliable operation is often considered of national importance.
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 The simplest IXPs have little more than an ethernet switch to support interconnections by the participants. As a concept, they'd look like this (details discussed elsewhere in the Toolbox): The simplest IXPs have little more than an ethernet switch to support interconnections by the participants. As a concept, they'd look like this (details discussed elsewhere in the Toolbox):
  
-{{:peering-toolbox:what-is-peering:ixp.png?400| }}+{{ :peering-toolbox:what-is-peering:ixp.png?400 | }}
  
 The world's largest IXPs operate multiple switches over multiple locations in the metro area, and provide services and facilities for the benefit of all the members. The world's largest IXPs operate multiple switches over multiple locations in the metro area, and provide services and facilities for the benefit of all the members.
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 ==== Commercial ==== ==== Commercial ====
  
-Very similar to the datacentre hosted IXP, but rather than operated by the data centre, they are operated by a commercial entity on behalf of the members.+Very similar to the datacentre hosted IXP but, rather than being operated by the data centre, they are operated by a commercial entity on behalf of the members.
  
 The IXP in this case is operated entirely by the commercial operator for its customers. The participants/customers have no say in how the IXP operates. However the commercial operator is very focused on customer requirements (and potential competition) which ensures the IXP operates for customer benefit.  The IXP in this case is operated entirely by the commercial operator for its customers. The participants/customers have no say in how the IXP operates. However the commercial operator is very focused on customer requirements (and potential competition) which ensures the IXP operates for customer benefit. 
peering-toolbox/what-is-peering/what_is_an_internet_exchange_point.1660907137.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/08/19 21:05 by philip