The “Internet” is defined as a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide. When you are connected to the Internet, you can type in a URL in your web browser to request a webpage, hit enter and almost instantly the requested webpage appears on your screen. The moment you hit enter, your request is transported to your ISP. This section explains the basics of how Internet traffic is transported.
Q: What is an ISP?
A: ISP is the acronym for Internet Service Provider, which is the company that you
buy your internet access from. When you request a webpage, it is transported to
your ISP, after which it is transported to other networks (“The Internet”). Before your
request reaches its destination it will most likely go through a lot of different networks
(depending on where your request is destined). All of these networks that your request
may pass through are called Autonomous Systems.
Q: What are Autonomous Systems?
A: Throughout the world there are IP networks that are used to distribute traffic to and from other networks. These networks are called Autonomous Systems (AS). Every AS has a unique Autonomous System Number (ASN) which is used to identify the network for use in BGP routing. Having an ASN is also a requirement of connecting to an IXP.
Q: What is BGP Routing?
A: BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is a protocol for exchanging routing information between gateway hosts in a network of autonomous systems.
Q: What is an IXP?
A: IXP is an acronym for Internet Exchange Point, which is a physical infrastructure that allows independent networks to interconnect using the Internet Protocol (IP), and exchange Internet traffic by means of mutual peering agreements.
IXPs reduce the portion of an ISP’s traffic which must be delivered via their upstream transit providers, thereby reducing the average per-bit delivery cost of their service. Furthermore, the increased number of paths learned through the IXP improves routing efficiency and fault-tolerance.
Q: What is Peering?
A: Peering is the voluntary interconnection of independent networks for the purpose of exchanging traffic between their networks. Peering arrangements at an Internet Exchange reduces the need to send IP traffic through an IP Upstream/Transit provider, for that which is ultimately destined for a local network. There are two different types of peering: private and public peering. Private peering happens when two networks decide to interconnect directly with each other. On the other hand when three or more parties decide to peer publicly, they can connect to a single point (switch). This public point of interconnection is called an Internet Exchange Point.
Q: Why join TTIX?
A: The idea of an IXP was started as a way of keeping local Internet traffic local. In this way, international (Transit) lines are not used to reach a destination in the same region as where the request originated. Traffic passing through the exchange is typically not billed by any party, whereas traffic to an ISP’s upstream/transit provider is. The cutback of costs associated with IP traffic is not the only advantage of interconnecting at TTIX.
Improvements in bandwidth and latency reduction are also expected.
Q: What do I get when I connect my network to the TTIX?
A: You get a port on the TTIX switch-fabric, and an IPv4 and/or IPv6 Address on the neutral network. This will enable you to establish peerings with the other members at TTIX.