November 1999

London Internet ExchangeLondon Internet ExchangeLondon Internet ExchangeLondon Internet Exchange

Keith Mitchell, Executive ChairmanKeith Mitchell, Executive Chairman

JPIX Meeting, July 2000JPIX Meeting, July 2000

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LINX - History & StatusLINX - History & Status

Started October 1994

Neutral, not-for-profit

Now largest exchange in Europe

4th or 5th In world

100+ ISP Members

‘World Class’ facility

Model for other IXPs

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LINX ObjectivesLINX Objectives

Primary Objective “To provide efficient interconnectivity for

the UK Internet”

Realise this by aiming to keep 100% of UK Internet traffic in the UK

Secondary Objective “To promote the interests of its

members”

Latter is only done on specific issues, where there is formal approval of strong consensus among members

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LINX PrinciplesLINX Principles

Neutral locations Not owned by ISPs or telcos

Neutral management By association of members

Neutral operation By dedicated autonomous staff

Should not compete with members’ services No retail members, only ISPs

Well-funded quality facilities and infrastructure

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Principles (continued)Principles (continued)

“Natural” national monopoly should be: Not for profit

Efficient

Accountable

Routing policy is purely a matter for members, though some constraints: Members must peer with at least 1 other

Direct bilateral connections also permitted

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LINX Members CumulativeLINX Members Cumulative

1994 - 2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

UK51

Europe17

US9

DE10

NL6

IE3

FR3

SE3

CH2

ES1

JP1 HR

1

SG1

Members by CountryMembers by Country

Total = 109

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Network TopologyNetwork Topology

Copper Patch Rack - THNCopper Patch Rack - THNCopper Patch Rack - THNCopper Patch Rack - THN

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Infrastructure Update Infrastructure Update (cont’d)(cont’d)

Switch Migration: Now completed Summit48 removed replaced by BD -

greater port density (eg: max 64 Gige ports)

Telehouse North is still full members gradually moving kit out,

recovering space

Still requirement to increase Port Density PE/Alcatel no longer suitable, due to gig

density and lack of hardware development

New Switches - more later

Telehouse NorthTelehouse North Telehouse NorthTelehouse North

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Gigabit Ethernet MANGigabit Ethernet MAN

First deployed:inter-switch 98Q4

inter-site 99Q1

Available to members: pilot 99Q4

service 00Q2 - 8 members

higher than forecast demand as members break the 100Mbps barrier

Total LINX traffic peak ~2.5Gbps

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Initial LINX LocationsInitial LINX Locations

From October 94 at Telehouse

Rewarding relationship for both parties

But around 1997, Telehouse mostly full

Also resilience concerns

Went out to tender for second site 3 bids

But winning bidder pulled out

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Model EvolutionModel Evolution

Re-tendered

Commissioned 2nd Primary site with winners Telecity in 1998

High quality of bids

Major co-lo provider growth in London Docklands & City area

Interest from 7 other CLPs

Requirements from LINX Members

Created ‘Expansion Site’ plan

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ThesisThesis

IXPs originally providedefficient, co-ordinated connectivity through co-operation between ISPs

To evolve they must provide efficient, co-ordinated connectivity between CLFs & ISPs through co-operation between CLPs and ISPs

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The Alternative The Alternative

Multiple commercially competing CLFs per metro area will each have own IXP

Each ISP will need (either/both):a presence at many CLFsmany private bi-lateral

interconnects

The latter do not scale well across either full or many buildings

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The StrategyThe Strategy

Build an:efficient

co-ordinated

neutral

not-for-profit

dark fibre IXP between as many CLFs as possible

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The StrategyThe Strategy

Make IXP connection a:single location

cheap

simple

facility independent

service option for all ISPs

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CoLo Technical CriteriaCoLo Technical Criteria

Number of carriers with fibre into facility

Size of facility

Number of engineers, 24x7 operators

Security measures

Separate LINX cage located centrally

Fire protection system

Power: capacity, UPS, generators

Air conditioning

Verify by site visit

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Current StatusCurrent Status

Primary sites at: Telehouse, TeleCity

LINX purchased IRU on dark fibre to implement Gigabit MAN

Q1 2000: Redbus Interhouse

Telehouse Eastern extension

Q2 2000: Guardian DR, InterXion, IX Europe

equipment ready, waiting for fibre

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ConclusionsConclusions

Have learnt lessons:Physical infrastructure build quite

painlessContractual/legal issues very time

consumingNew entrants to colo market a little

over optimisticNeed to build relationship and trust

with & between many CLPs

Each one gets easier

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The FutureThe Future

Developing 'Build your own exchange site' handbook

Open to further Expansion Site bids

Provisional approval from LINX members to work with CLFs:outside London M25

not connected to existing sites

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Further InformationFurther Information

http://www.linx.net

info@linx.org

+44 1733 207700

Fax 1733 353929