An internet exchange, often called IX or IXP for short, is a switching platform where internet carriers can exchange traffic with each other. Exchanging traffic over an Internet Exchange Point rather than via direct peering, enables a carrier to interconnect with multiple networks via one uplink and thereby reduce the cost and complication of interconnections, enabling them to take on more peerings and perhaps even peer with other carriers even though the traffic volume is low. Most of the large Internet Exchange Points are commercial exchanges, where the participating carriers pay a fee to the IXP operator – typically depending on the port speed they are subscribing to. There are also “open” Internet Exchange Points though, that do not require any payment or only require a symbolic fee. Small Internet Exchanges are typically just one switch located in one data center, where the members can then connect to directly or through a meet me room, while the larger IXPs consist of multiple switches located in different data centers that are connected to each other via direct fiber routes. This also gives members the benefit of being able to peer with members in other physical locations, without having to establish their own fiber connections between each other. A lot of the Internet Exchanges publish member lists, location lists and statistics of their traffic volume on their websites, enabling potential members to evaluate the ROI that connecting to the IXP might generate.
Internet Exchanges in Romania:
- InterLAN Internet Exchange, www.interlan.ro
- RONIX, www.ronix.ro
- Balcan Internet Exchange, www.balcan-ix.ro
Internet Exchanges Worldwide:
Region | # of IXPs | # of Cities | # of Countries |
---|---|---|---|
Euro-IX | 193 | 146 | 48 |
APIX | 89 | 49 | 19 |
AF-IX | 30 | 28 | 23 |
LAC-IX | 51 | 45 | 11 |
North America | 97 | 56 | 2 |
TOTAL | 460 | 324 | 103 |