Internet node
Internet nodes are the network nodes or network elements of the Internet ; they serve as exchange points for Internet data traffic . Several Internet service providers (often several hundred) are linked together at an Internet node in such a way that they can exchange data traffic between their respective networks (mostly at no cost). For example, customers of a cable operator can quickly a particular content content distributor to retrieve.
The acronym IXP for Internet Exchange Point is commonly used . In the US , the term NAP ( Network Access Point ) is more common. A distinction is also made between public peering points and private peering . The IXPs listed below are only public peering points .
Internet nodes, which represent a traffic junction between commercial Internet providers, are also referred to as Commercial Internet eXchange ( CIX ).
functionality
Certain Internet nodes serve as interfaces between computer networks ( LANs , MANs and WANs ). The entire network of networks known as autonomous systems (i.e. the individual providers) forms the Internet . The system according to which the networks are interconnected to form an overall network and packets are transmitted in it is regulated by the Internet Protocol .
There are approximately 340 IXPs worldwide, of which around 165 are in Europe and around 80 in North America . The world's largest CIX (commercial Internet node) is DE-CIX in Frankfurt am Main . The Euro-IX association was initially an association of operators of European IXPs; meanwhile the members are positioned worldwide.
Many large Internet nodes consist of several buildings whose network infrastructure is interconnected. The increasing space requirement of IXPs is less due to increasing bandwidths than to the increasing number of hosts that are accommodated directly in an IXP. Smaller Internet nodes are primarily used as an uplink for regional carriers . The exchange of data between the participants ( provider or network operator) is regulated by a so-called peering agreement. This contract states that both providers (mostly free of charge) may route data traffic into the network of the other provider, for example to reach their end customers.
Large Internet nodes of Internet service providers (Engl. "Internet service provider" or ISP) typically used to save costs and reduce dependence on the larger network operators ( "upstream provider"). Internet nodes also increase the efficiency and reliability of data exchange . The operating costs are usually borne jointly by the participating ISPs. The operator of the Internet node usually charges fees for each connected port; the costs for a port depend on its data transmission speed (currently 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps).
Table of international Internet nodes (CIX) (sorted by data traffic)
Table of regional Internet nodes in Germany
See also
Web links
- Web links to IXP listings: Packet Clearing House , Open Directory Project , Exchange Point Repository , BGP Forum , EuroGIX
- heise.de: Bosses of Fibers ( Memento from March 19, 2005 in the Internet Archive )
- heise.de: Glass fibers are a realm of darkness
- Top 80 Internet Nodes The table of the largest Internet nodes that publish their statistics.
- List of Internet exchange points by size in Wikipedia
- PCH
- PeeringDB, also contains information on exchange points worldwide
- Network node DE-CIX Frankfurt. Switching point of the Internet.