The surge in global cloud, content, and digital communication is driving the demand for efficient internet traffic exchange worldwide. With 5.18 billion internet users as of April 2023 and internet traffic predicted to reach 150.7 exabytes monthly, the importance of peering—where networks share traffic—has never been more crucial. This article explores the concept of remote peering and its transformative potential for the future of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).
Understanding Internet Peering
What is Peering?
Peering is the direct exchange of internet traffic between networks at an Internet Exchange Point (IXP). This process improves internet performance, reduces dependency on third-party transit providers, and leads to a faster and more reliable internet experience for end-users by facilitating efficient data exchange with fewer hops.
Types of Network Interconnections
There are three primary ways networks interconnect and exchange traffic on the internet:
- Direct Connection: Facilitated by a transit provider, where the network buys transit services.
- Dedicated and Private Interconnection: Directly established between two or more networks.
- Peering at an IXP: Allows members to interconnect and exchange traffic efficiently.
The Rise of Remote Peering
Traditional vs. Remote Peering
Traditional IXP access, known as direct peering, requires organizations to have a physical Point of Presence (PoP) at the IXP. This process is complex, involving hardware installation, additional fees, and the management of multiple supplier relationships. Remote peering, however, allows organizations to connect to an IXP without being physically present. This can be achieved through a service provider with pre-existing connections to the peering platform.
Benefits of Remote Peering
Remote peering offers several advantages over traditional peering, including:
- Cost Efficiency: Eliminates the need for physical infrastructure at multiple IXPs, reducing costs associated with hardware, colocation, and maintenance.
- Operational Simplicity: Simplifies vendor management by reducing the number of contracts and SLAs.
- Improved Network Performance: Enhances network performance and reduces latency by allowing connections with a broader range of networks at different IXPs.
- Scalability: Provides flexibility to scale connectivity on-demand and manage peering services through user-friendly platforms.
The Role of Service Providers
Service providers like Epsilon play a critical role in enabling remote peering. Epsilon’s remote peering solution allows businesses to connect directly and securely to world-leading Internet Exchanges via Epsilon’s robust infrastructure and PoPs. This service is powered by dedicated Layer 2 connectivity and is available on-demand via Epsilon’s Network as a Service (NaaS) platform, Infiny.
Case Studies: Cost Savings and Efficiency
Scenario 1: Consolidating Direct Peering in Europe
A customer consolidated its direct peering services with five IXs within Europe into Epsilon’s remote peering service using a 100G interconnection port. This consolidation resulted in significant cost savings by reducing the need for multiple colocation sites and cross-connects, demonstrating a 40% cost reduction.
Scenario 2: Combining IXs Across Regions
In another scenario, a customer consolidated direct peering with IXs in both Asia and Europe into Epsilon’s remote peering service, coupled with a Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) between the two regions. This integration achieved a 14% cost reduction while simplifying network management and enhancing performance.
Enhancing Global Connectivity
Expanding Reach with Remote Peering
Remote peering enables businesses to extend their global reach by connecting to multiple IXs through a single interconnection port. For instance, Epsilon connects to over 16 leading IXs worldwide, allowing businesses to peer with networks at AMS-IX, LINX, SGIX, DE-CIX, and other partners. This extensive reach supports a diverse peering community, including online gaming sites, payment providers, and content providers.
Flexibility and Control
Remote peering provides businesses with greater control over their network routing, allowing them to bypass intermediate networks and congestion points. This results in lower latency and improved network performance. Epsilon’s ecosystem of Internet Exchange partners offers strategic locations for peering, further enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of network operations.
Future Trends and Considerations
Growing Demand for Low Latency
As internet usage continues to grow, particularly for video content and real-time applications, the demand for low-latency connections will increase. Remote peering addresses this need by enabling direct connections to multiple IXPs, minimizing the distance data packets must travel.
Security and Reliability
Ensuring security and reliability in network connections is paramount. Remote peering, backed by high-performance global networks and industry-leading SLAs, provides businesses with the assurance of secure and dependable connectivity.
Simplified Network Management
The trend towards network simplification continues as businesses seek to reduce the complexities associated with managing multiple IXs. Remote peering offers a streamlined approach, with single contracts and unified SLAs, making it an attractive option for organizations looking to optimize their network operations.
Conclusion
Remote peering represents a significant shift in how businesses connect to Internet Exchange Points. By eliminating the need for physical presence at IXPs, remote peering offers a cost-effective, scalable, and efficient solution for expanding global connectivity. Service providers like Epsilon are at the forefront of this transformation, enabling businesses to achieve greater reach, improved network performance, and simplified operations.
As the digital landscape evolves, remote peering will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring that businesses can meet the demands of a growing internet user base. By leveraging the benefits of remote peering, organizations can unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth in the ever-connected world.
