Internet Exchange Points: Where the Internet Meets

The internet is a "network of networks". For these networks to talk to each other, they must physically connect. This happens at Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).

What Happens at an IXP?

An IXP is a large data center containing powerful network switches. ISPs, Content Providers (like Netflix and Google), and CDN networks connect their routers to these switches to "peer" with one another.

The Power of Peering

Without IXPs, if a customer of ISP-A wanted to watch a video on Netflix, the traffic might have to travel across expensive international links. At an IXP, they connect directly, resulting in lower costs and better performance.

Famous IXPs

Major hubs include DE-CIX (Frankfurt), AMS-IX (Amsterdam), and LINX (London). These locations handle tens of Terabits of data every second.