November 1999

Internet Exchange Points & ColocationInternet Exchange Points & ColocationInternet Exchange Points & ColocationInternet Exchange Points & Colocation

Keith Mitchell, Executive Chairman

London Internet Exchange

Keith Mitchell, Executive Chairman

London Internet Exchange

Colocation Summit, 30th June 2000Colocation Summit, 30th June 2000

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Bridging the GulfBridging the Gulf

Co-Locate ProvidersCLPs

Internet Service ProvidersISPs

Internet Exchange PointsIXPs (NAPs)

Co-Locate FacilitiesCLFs

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LINX - History & StatusLINX - 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

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LINX ObjectivesLINX 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

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LINX PrinciplesLINX 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

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Principles (continued)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

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LINX Members CumulativeLINX Members Cumulative

1994 - 2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

UK51

Europe17

US9

DE10

NL6

IE3

FR3

SE3

CH2

ES1

JP1 HR

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SG1

Members by CountryMembers by Country

Total = 109

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Network TopologyNetwork Topology

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Gigabit Ethernet MANGigabit 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

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LINX Colocation PrinciplesLINX Colocation Principles

Some important concepts established from inception

UK National IXP should be:independent of any one CLP

located at commercial-quality facility (traditionally academic)

located at neutral facility

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Initial LINX LocationsInitial 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

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Model EvolutionModel 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

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Interested PartiesInterested Parties

BT City Reach EGT/NTL Equinix Guardian DR Internet Facilitators InterXion

IX Europe Level3 London Switch Redbus Interhouse ScoLocate/Zereau SGRS TeleCity Telehouse

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Some ISP TrendsSome ISP Trends

Can’t fit all the content farms in one CLF

Need to be at multiple CLFs

Distinction between ISPs/CLPs/ content providers diminishing

Dark fibre becoming more available and cheaper

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Some CLP TrendsSome CLP Trends

Major influx of new players and money

Successful CLFs filling up

CLFs running out of rack and riser space

Still demand/supply gap for quality colo: not enough competition

high costs

Multiple CLFs per CLP per city

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Some IXP TrendsSome IXP Trends

More members, more traffic, bigger switches

Running out of space

Throwing out the content farms

Trying to become CLF independent

Native multicast finally arriving

Multiple cities per country

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ThesisThesis

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

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CorollaryCorollary

IXPs which are not CLF independent will become increasingly tied to one CLP

Preserving neutrality requires:avoiding above

providing intra-city connectivity only

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The Alternative The Alternative

Multiple commercially competing CLFs per metro area will each have own IXP

Each ISP will need (either/both):a presence at many CLFsmany private bi-lateral

interconnects

The latter do not scale well across either full or many buildings

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The StrategyThe Strategy

Build an:efficient

co-ordinated

neutral

not-for-profit

dark fibre IXP between as many CLFs as possible

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The StrategyThe Strategy

Make IXP connection a:single location

cheap

simple

facility independent

service option for all ISPs

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IXP/CLP Partnership Benefits IXP/CLP Partnership Benefits

Increased customer base

Cost-effective use of infrastructure

Enhanced marketing & publicity opportunities

Brand quality validation

Skills transfer

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Why become a LINX site?Why become a LINX site?

LINX Members already appearing at new CLP sites

Potential LINX Members enquiring about co-lo space

LINX presence a great attraction to ISPs

LINX presence represents high QoS

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Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles

Must not expose LINX to unnecessary financial risk

Costs borne by site operators

Must not interfere with the operation of the ‘core’ facilities

Will be as simple as possible to implement

LINX must not distort market

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Basic Principles (continued)Basic Principles (continued)

Normal LINX Quality of Service will apply

Differential between ‘Primary’ and ‘Expansion’ sites maintained‘Primary’ sites must be neutral

‘Expansion’ site relationship non-exclusive, need not be neutral

Not all LINX facilities will be available

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Application ProcessApplication Process

Sites must have >2 Members or potential MembersMechanism for testing clearly laid

out in plan

Sites must meet technical criteria

Standardised LINX Contract back-to-back with standard CLP contract

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Technical CriteriaTechnical 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

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Selection ProcessSelection Process

First selection testNumber of Members at site

committed to connecting

Second selection testNumber of potential new Members

submitting draft application

Tie breakerIETF Random selection process

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Current StatusCurrent 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

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ConclusionsConclusions

Have learnt lessons:Physical infrastructure build quite

painlessContractual/legal issues very time

consumingNew entrants to colo market a little

over optimisticNeed to build relationship and trust

with & between many CLPs

Each one gets easier

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The FutureThe 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

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Further InformationFurther Information

http://www.linx.net

info@linx.org

+44 1733 207700

Fax 1733 353929