Traffic exchange across an Internet exchange point Internet exchange point

diagram of layer 1 (physical) , layer 2 (data link) topology of internet exchange point (ixp).



diagram of layer 3 (network) topology of internet exchange point (ixp).

internet traffic exchange between 2 participants on ixp facilitated border gateway protocol (bgp) routing configurations between them. choose announce routes via peering relationship – either routes own addresses, or routes addresses of other isps connect to, possibly via other mechanisms. other party peering can apply route filtering, chooses accept routes, , route traffic accordingly, or ignore routes, , use other routes reach addresses.

in many cases, isp have both direct link isp , accept route (normally ignored) other isp through ixp; if direct link fails, traffic start flowing on ixp. in way, ixp acts backup link.

when these conditions met, , contractual structure exists create market purchase network services, ixp called transit exchange. vancouver transit exchange, example, described shopping mall of service providers @ 1 central location, making easy switch providers – simple getting vlan new provider. vte run bcnet, public entity.

advocates of green broadband schemes , more competitive telecom services advocate aggressive expansion of transit exchanges every municipal area network competing service providers can place such equipment video on demand hosts , pstn switches serve existing phone equipment, without being answerable monopoly incumbent.