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London Internet Exchange. Keith Mitchell, Executive Chairman. JPIX Meeting, July 2000. LINX - History & Status. Started October 1994 Neutral, not-for-profit Now largest exchange in Europe 4th or 5th In world 100+ ISP Members ‘World Class’ facility Model for other IXPs. LINX Objectives.
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London Internet Exchange Keith Mitchell, Executive Chairman JPIX Meeting, July 2000
LINX - History & Status • Started October 1994 • Neutral, not-for-profit • Now largest exchange in Europe • 4th or 5th In world • 100+ ISP Members • ‘World Class’ facility • Model for other IXPs
LINX Objectives • Primary Objective • “To provide efficient interconnectivity for the UK Internet” Realise this by aiming to keep 100% of UK Internet traffic in the UK • Secondary Objective • “To promote the interests of its members” • Latter is only done on specific issues, where there is formal approval of strong consensus among members
LINX Principles • Neutral locations • Not owned by ISPs or telcos • Neutral management • By association of members • Neutral operation • By dedicated autonomous staff • Should not compete with members’ services • No retail members, only ISPs • Well-funded quality facilities and infrastructure
Principles (continued) • “Natural” national monopoly should be: • Not for profit • Efficient • Accountable • Routing policy is purely a matter for members, though some constraints: • Members must peer with at least 1 other • Direct bilateral connections also permitted
LINX Members Cumulative 1994 - 2000
1 Members by Country Total = 109
Infrastructure Update (cont’d) • Switch Migration: • Now completed • Summit48 removed replaced by BD - greater port density (eg: max 64 Gige ports) • Telehouse North is still full • members gradually moving kit out, recovering space • Still requirement to increase Port Density • PE/Alcatel no longer suitable, due to gig density and lack of hardware development • New Switches - more later
Gigabit Ethernet MAN • First deployed: • inter-switch 98Q4 • inter-site 99Q1 • Available to members: • pilot 99Q4 • service 00Q2 - 8 members • higher than forecast demand as members break the 100Mbps barrier • Total LINX traffic peak ~2.5Gbps
Initial LINX Locations • From October 94 at Telehouse • Rewarding relationship for both parties • But around 1997, Telehouse mostly full • Also resilience concerns • Went out to tender for second site • 3 bids • But winning bidder pulled out
Model Evolution • Re-tendered • Commissioned 2nd Primary site with winners Telecity in 1998 • High quality of bids • Major co-lo provider growth in London Docklands & City area • Interest from 7 other CLPs • Requirements from LINX Members • Created ‘Expansion Site’ plan
Thesis • IXPs originally providedefficient, co-ordinated connectivity through co-operation between ISPs • To evolve they must provide efficient, co-ordinated connectivity between CLFs & ISPs through co-operation between CLPs and ISPs
The Alternative • Multiple commercially competing CLFs per metro area will each have own IXP • Each ISP will need (either/both): • a presence at many CLFs • many private bi-lateral interconnects • The latter do not scale well across either full or many buildings
The Strategy • Build an: • efficient • co-ordinated • neutral • not-for-profit dark fibre IXP between as many CLFs as possible
The Strategy • Make IXP connection a: • single location • cheap • simple • facility independent service option for all ISPs
CoLo Technical Criteria • Number of carriers with fibre into facility • Size of facility • Number of engineers, 24x7 operators • Security measures • Separate LINX cage located centrally • Fire protection system • Power: capacity, UPS, generators • Air conditioning • Verify by site visit
Current Status • Primary sites at: • Telehouse, TeleCity • LINX purchased IRU on dark fibre to implement Gigabit MAN • Q1 2000: • Redbus Interhouse • Telehouse Eastern extension • Q2 2000: • Guardian DR, InterXion, IX Europe • equipment ready, waiting for fibre
Conclusions • Have learnt lessons: • Physical infrastructure build quite painless • Contractual/legal issues very time consuming • New entrants to colo market a little over optimistic • Need to build relationship and trust with & between many CLPs • Each one gets easier
The Future • Developing 'Build your own exchange site' handbook • Open to further Expansion Site bids • Provisional approval from LINX members to work with CLFs: • outside London M25 • not connected to existing sites
Further Information • http://www.linx.net • info@linx.org • +44 1733 207700 • Fax 1733 353929