Download - London Internet Exchange
November 1999
London Internet ExchangeLondon Internet ExchangeLondon Internet ExchangeLondon Internet Exchange
Keith Mitchell, Executive ChairmanKeith Mitchell, Executive Chairman
JPIX Meeting, July 2000JPIX Meeting, July 2000
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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
Copper Patch Rack - THNCopper Patch Rack - THNCopper Patch Rack - THNCopper Patch Rack - THN
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Infrastructure Update Infrastructure Update (cont’d)(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
Telehouse NorthTelehouse North Telehouse NorthTelehouse North
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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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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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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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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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CoLo Technical CriteriaCoLo 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
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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
+44 1733 207700
Fax 1733 353929