Jan 24 2018
1

New LINX Bi-Di Optical Transceiver Product Goes LIVE as First Connexions Partner Upgrades

By | LINX News
Back in April 2017, The London Internet Exchange announced the availability of a new fibre product in the form of Bi-Directional Optical Transceivers, at their regional exchange IXManchester.
LINX member, reseller partner and data centre operator, TeleData, were keen to announce to fellow peers at the exchange last week, that they had successfully upgraded their 10G port to the new Bi-Di optic, being the first member at the exchange to do so.  As a LINX Connexions Partner, this upgrade immediately enables customers at their own data centre, Delta House in Manchester, to take LINX connections with greater capacity and it has also allowed an additional connection utilising fibres already in place, removing the need for extra cross connects.Matthew Edgley, Commercial Director of TeleData says:“The main thing for us and the customer was being able to provision an additional high capacity LINX port from our data centre, without expensive third-party cross connect fees that are charged to connect into the core LINX PoP at the other end; which could have made the customer connection cost prohibitive.  We provided the customer’s cross connect at TeleData free of charge as we’d rather promote and enable LINX connections and member expansion from our data centre, than put cost barriers in the way.”

“We hope this will encourage more potential LINX members to see the advantages and join the exchange via a Connexions partner and data centres such as ours.”

When joining LINX, most members connect using a fibre pair or cross connect. One fibre is dedicated to receiving data from network equipment and the other fibre will be dedicated to transmitting data to the network. The new product, Bi-Directional Optical Transceivers (or Bi-Di transceivers for short) allows both the transmitting and receiving of data on a single fibre resulting in the benefit of reduced interconnect cost for the member, whilst doubling the capacity of each cross connect.

TeleData customer and LINX member Boundless were the first to use the new Bi-Di optical link at their IXManchester location, Williams House, and have successfully migrated their peering over.

Chris Bewley, Technical Director from Boundless says:

“The use of Bi-Di transceivers has enabled us to take a new 10G port at IXManchester, giving us future regional peering capacity as we continue to grow our network. Previously, the cost of third-party cross connect fees at Williams House would have been prohibitive to us taking the new port in IXManchester.”

“The order process was straight forward and we are seeing good, stable connectivity to the exchange from our equipment in TeleData.”

LINX’s Bi-Directional Optical Transceiver service is currently only available at IXManchester, however, there is an expectation that this product will be rolled out to all LINX exchanges, including both London LANs, in the future.

For further information please email the LINX Member Relations team.

Dec 20 2017
1

New Partnership for Angola Cables and LINX

By | LINX News
Wholesale carrier Angola Cables has launched a remote peering service to improve the connectivity between the peering community at The London Internet Exchange (LINX) and the peering members at its own Internet exchange point.
Angola Cables is a partner in the development of data centers in Luanda and Fortaleza, Brazil, and in the building of the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) undersea cable, the first direct subsea link between Africa and South America in the southern hemisphere.Earlier this month, Angola Cables confirmed progress in construction of the 6,500-km undersea cable with an official launch in Sangano, Angola (see “Angola Cables announces launch of South Atlantic Cable System”). When finished, the SACS will position Angola Cables as a global interconnection provider by linking to Angola Cable’s European system and eventually to the Middle and Far East.”Peering at LINX in London and offering a remote peering service is part of the ongoing development of our network to ensure that our customers and partners have access to the latest communication technology and retain us as their ideal partner for international connectivity and high-quality Internet services,” said Darwin Costa, Angola Cables Product Manager.

“Since joining LINX peering community as one of the first exchange points, we have seen a more than threefold increase in traffic. We anticipate gaining new remote peering customers from across Africa and also from South America, once the South Atlantic Cable System is complete.”

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is one of the largest Internet exchanges in the world, connecting over 825 member ASNs from over 75 countries around the globe. They are located in 10 PoPs across the UK capital along with regional exchanges in Wales, Manchester and Scotland. LINX also operates an Internet exchange in the Ashburn metro area in the US just outside Washington DC, LINX NoVA.

Jennifer Holmes, Head of Sales at LINX said; “We are delighted to welcome Angola Cables as our newest reseller partner and are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with them. This arrangement will provide African networks with a cost-effective and convenient method of connecting to LINX and enables them to enjoy the many benefits that peering in London has to offer.”

Dec 13 2017
0

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) announce new partnership with Colt Data Centre Services

By | LINX News
LINX have recently welcomed Colt Data Centre to their London network as a Transmission PoP. The new partnership offers Colt customers a valuable, new additional service and prospective LINX members an attractive new location to peer in West London.
A Transmission PoP is a facility physically based within a carrier neutral data centre that provides customers with direct access to LINX’s infrastructure and improved performance of their peering connectivity.Matthew Cantwell, Director of Product for Colt DCS commented:“We are delighted with the addition of a LINX transmission POP to our London West data centre. Along with a wide choice of alternative carriers, our customers see direct access to Internet Exchanges as a crucial element of their network strategy. We look forward to working closely with LINX to help our customers and prospects benefit from the capabilities of our site and connecting directly to the UK’s premier Internet exchange.”

As well as improved latency and resilience, Colt customers who become LINX members will also benefit from improved routing control, increased capacity and redundancy at lower cost. In addition, there is also the opportunity to peer with over 820 member ASNs from over 75 countries worldwide on LINX’s dual peering Local Area Networks (LANs) LON1 and LON2, a facility unique to the UK.

Jennifer Holmes, Head of Sales at LINX commented:

“We are really excited to be partnering with Colt for the launch of a new Transmission PoP in London. This will allow even more networks to connect to our peering platforms in the capital from a location that is rapidly growing in importance. It is a very positive step for the network community here.”

 

Dec 07 2017
0

Michelle Reid of Telehouse Europe Presented with Special LINX Award

By | LINX News
At the 99th member meeting of the London Internet Exchange (LINX) on 20th November, Michelle Reid of Telehouse Europe was presented with the Conspicuous Contribution to LINX Award.
LINX launched its network services at Telehouse Europe in 1994, when the London Exchange was first formed. Michelle has worked closely with LINX during her entire career at Telehouse spanning more than 20 years, to further develop the exchange’s network services at the Telehouse London Docklands campus.As LINX has grown, so has Telehouse in London.  Telehouse launched Europe’s first purpose-built carrier neutral colocation facility, Telehouse North in 1990. Since then, the Docklands campus has expanded with the addition of three data centres, including the new Telehouse North Two data centre which opened last year.LINX CEO, John Souter, said;“It is to Michelle’s credit that she really understood the role that LINX plays generally, and how having LINX in their buildings plays such an important role in establishing the Telehouse Docklands campus into one of the most connected places on the planet. We are grateful for her faithful support, and think it appropriate to recognise her in this way.”

Michelle Reid from Telehouse Europe said;

“I am honoured to have received this award from LINX and to have played a role in supporting LINX over the years. Telehouse’s long-standing relationship with LINX has contributed towards the development of the highly connected data centre ecosystem at Telehouse Docklands. This in turn provides LINX members and our customers with a low latency and resilient environment to support the high volumes of Internet traffic flowing through the campus.”

First presented in 2006, the LINX Award has so far been given to seven recipients: Nigel Titley, Dr Richard Clayton, Clive Feather, NIX.CZ and CZ.NIC for the BIRD route server project, Raza Rizvi and former long-standing LINX Chairman, Grahame Davies.

Further information on the Conspicuous Contribution to LINX Award can be found on the LINX website: www.linx.net/communications/linxaward

ENDS

November 2017

 

Notes to Editors

About The London Internet Exchange (LINX)

LINX is one of the largest Internet exchanges in the world, connecting over 800 networks from over 75 countries around the globe. As a mutual membership organisation, whose members make up a large part of the global internet, the London based IXP is in a unique position to make a difference for all as it’s mantra ‘Working for the Good of the Internet’ indicates. LINX maintain a heavy London presence with over 10 PoPs across the capital along with regional exchanges in Wales, Manchester and Scotland. LINX also operates an Internet exchange in the Ashburn metro area in the US just outside Washington DC.

For more information about the London Internet Exchange visit www.linx.net or email marketing@linx.net

About Telehouse

Telehouse is the pioneering data centre colocation provider established in 1989.  It is an owner operator of global data centres, connectivity and managed ICT solutions to over 3000 corporations around the world. Telehouse is the data centre subsidiary of Japanese corporation KDDI, a leading Japanese mobile and fixed-line telecommunications and ICT solution provider with 106 offices in 28 countries around the world and a Global Fortune company.

Further Telehouse press information:  marketing@uk.telehouse.net

Nov 30 2017
0

Route server Validation Goes Live in Manchester

By | LINX News
At its most recent membership meeting LINX99 in November, LINX updated the membership on the status of the route validation project.
At its membership meeting LINX96 in February 2017, The London Internet Exchange (LINX) announced the plans for deploying route validation at all its route servers. After the discussions with the membership in February LINX had agreed on a two stage approach, firstly invalid prefixes would be tagged and then after a short period the tagged prefixes would no longer be propagated. Any member who wished to receive all data would always have the option to request such data.LINX’s caution came from concerns that once initial validation was put in place the quantity of invalid prefixes was very large. To mitigate this risk LINX embarked upon an individual programme with their NOC team to contact all members who were announcing invalid prefixes or leaking routing tables to inform them of the route server project to help them correct the issue (namely correcting information held in PeeringDB, and other databases). Contacting members has had some impact on the number of invalid prefixes being announced, but surprisingly it is still around 20% of the total prefixes.

At its most recent membership meeting LINX99 in November, LINX updated the membership on the status of the route validation project. LINX informed that the next step was to start to implement the route tagging, as originally agreed with the members, and that this was due to start the same week as LINX99. After a short discussion with the members following the announcement it became clear that the members now preferred for LINX to go straight to a non-propagated approach. The majority of members present thought that a two staged implementation would not be effective as members would have to build their own filters based upon the LINX tagging. This work would then become redundant when LINX started not to propagate tagged prefixes and as a result most of them wouldn’t build their own filters. As for members who were announcing invalid prefixes, whilst the number of routes were high, the number of members that this represented was not as significant.

LINX CMO, Kurtis Lindqvist, posed the question directly to the room regarding which approach would LINX should take. It was agreed that the roll out should be by individual route servers with non-propagation being in place almost immediately after the tagging is announced. The first route server to go through this process is at IXManchester, with LINX enabled tagging of prefixes with communities based on the result of prefix validation, beginning on Tuesday 28th November. At this first step, LINX will be using the IRR object registered in PeeringDB to check for valid IRR entries for the announced prefixes. In addition, LINX check for a valid ASN origin.

On Wednesday 29th November, LINX changed the default configuration on rs1.man1 (quagga) and will no longer propagate any prefixes which do not pass the prefix validation. On Monday, 11th December, LINX will change the default configuration for rs2.man1 to match that of rs1.man1.

If for whatever reason, members want to continue to receive the unfiltered prefixes, they can opt-out of this change by opening a ticket with the LINX NOC, stating their IXManchester peering LAN IP address and ASN.

Similar changes will be applied to the LINX route servers on all LANs over the next few weeks. If members are using LINX route servers then they are encouraged to look out for further announcements on the LINX ops-announce mailing list.

The aim of this project is to capture and reduce all non-malicious errors and reduce member issues caused by prefix leaks. Validating against the IRR database means that it becomes very important that all members have correct and current information in PeeringDB. LINX has always stressed the importance to members of registering their information on PeeringDB, but as this project becomes live, it is now critical. LINX are urging all members to check and update their information to ensure that it is correct.

As a future improvement, LINX are also evaluating the use of additional checks, i.e. the use of RPKI to further improve the platforms.

Ends

Nov 17 2017
0

LINX Confirms Successful Testing of New Disaggregated Networking Technology

By | LINX News
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has announced a series of successful Proof of Concepts (POCs) following a decision just over a year ago, to adopt a new and revolutionary, disaggregated approach to their secondary LAN network architecture, LON2.
In August 2016, after months of research with potential new suppliers, a decision was made to source hardware from Edgecore Networks and software from IP Infusion to compliment this approach. The LON2 architecture programme has since gathered pace, particularly over the last six months, now bringing LINX to the point of deployment.When deciding on the disaggregated technology stack presented by Edgecore and IP Infusion, it was known that EVPN services would need to be built into IP Infusion’s OcNOS software. This was because the system has traditionally been a datacentre centric solution, so compatibility with LINX’s inter-site service provider type architecture using Edgecore hardware was required.A number of collaborative proof of concepts took place over the summer, resulting in a code base and hardware solution that is fit for purpose at a multi-site Internet exchange point (IXP). LINX moved through the deployment phase in October and November, leading to member testing in December. Work will continue through the customary change freeze period at the end of the year with the migration of services taking place as soon as practical at the start of 2018.

LINX Chief Technical Officer, Richard Petrie, says:
“In undergoing the process of selection, testing, refinement and deployment phases of these new systems, we faced a number of technical and non-technical challenges. The life cycle management of a disaggregated deployment is a new concept to us, as it is with many businesses coming under the service provider operating model. The performance and commitment of both IP Infusion and Edgecore Networks has been fundamental in allowing all three organisations to be able to collaborate, test and resolve complex issues effectively and efficiently.”

Mr Petrie added, “We are very pleased with the results so far and are excited to be implementing the technology and test our products and services in preparation for member migration.”

New partners Edgecore Networks and IP Infusion have now been awarded contracts following the series of successful PoCs and are looking forward to the next stage of the project;

“LINX is demonstrating that open network disaggregated systems are ready for deployment outside of the data centre, affording the benefit of data centre transformation to other network applications. IP Infusion and Edgecore Networks have worked closely with the LINX engineering team to test and validate the system can meet their member and operational needs. We are delighted to move to the next stage with LINX.” Mark Basham, Vice President Edgecore Networks EMEA.

“With OcNOS, LINX can easily design their disaggregated network to meet their specific needs and deploy new services quickly. We continue to look forward to partnering with LINX to meet the growing demands of their new platform and to help keep operating costs low.” Atsushi Ogata, President and CEO of IP Infusion

LINX operates a unique, dual LAN network within the London metro LON1 and LON2, spanning 10 datacentre locations. The primarily London-based exchange strives to remain at the forefront of technology and therefore chose to lead the way by restructuring LON2, benefiting their members from both a resiliency and long-term value perspective.

LINX members and those interested in joining the exchange are attending the next quarterly member conference taking place in London on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st November, where a full update on the project will be presented. Find out more at www.linx.net/linx99

ENDS

November 2017

 

Note to Editors:

About The London Internet Exchange (LINX)

LINX is one of the largest Internet exchanges in the world, connecting over 800 networks from over 75 countries around the globe. As a mutual membership organisation, whose members make up a large part of the global internet, the London based IXP is in a unique position to make a difference for all as it’s mantra ‘Working for the Good of the Internet’ indicates. LINX maintain a heavy London presence with over 10 PoPs across the capital along with regional exchanges in Wales, Manchester and Scotland. LINX also operates an Internet exchange in the Ashburn metro area in the US just outside Washington DC.

For more information about the London Internet Exchange visit www.linx.net or email marketing@linx.net

About IP Infusion

IP Infusion, the leader in disaggregated networking solutions, delivers enterprise and carrier-grade software solutions allowing network operators to reduce network costs, increase flexibility, and to deploy new features and services quickly. IP Infusion’s OcNOS, the industry’s first enterprise and carrier-grade network operating system for Open Compute hardware, allows for easier implementation of large-scale IT networks, and offers customers white box solutions to deploy more quickly. VirNOS, a NFV-based software platform, provides a carriers and enterprises with a cost-effective network OS approach to implement and manage their networking services. With the OcNOS and VirNOS network operating systems, both powered by ZebOS, IP Infusion offers network operators, carriers, and enterprises with the physical and virtual software solutions they need to achieve the disaggregated networking model. Over 300 customers worldwide, including major networking equipment manufacturers, use IP Infusion’s respected ZebOS platform to build networks to address the evolving needs of cloud, carrier and mobile networking. IP Infusion is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. Additional information can be found at http://www.ipinfusion.com.

About Edgecore Networks

Edgecore Networks Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accton Technology Corporation, the leading network ODM. Edgecore Networks delivers wired and wireless networking products and solutions through channel partners and system integrators worldwide for the Data Center, Service Provider, Enterprise and SMB customers. Edgecore Networks is the leader in open networking providing a full line of open Wi-Fi access points, PON OLT, packet optical transponders, and OCP-ACCEPTEDTM switches that offer choice of NOS and SDN software for data center, telecommunications and enterprise networks. For more information, visit www.Edge-Core.com.

 

Oct 10 2017
0

51st edition of the LINX magazine, HotLINX, out now!

By | LINX News
LINX has published the latest edition of its membership magazine, HotLINX, the final issue in its current design. The lead story is an ‘In the Spotlight’ special with an interview with Dr Philip Smith, the man who installed LINX’s very first rack.
In August Dr Philip Smith travelled to the UK from Australia to speak at LINX98, and to run a specialist workshop on BGP. We ask Philip about the early days of LINX and his work with IXPs in Asia and Africa today. Read Philip’s insightful views on the industry on pages 10 and 11 of the following link.Download HotLINX51

This edition also features a preview of LINX99 and EGM which includes votes on key governance changes and the 2018 budget. Also in our LINX News section we have the detail behind LINX’s price cuts at IXManchester and of a new PoP for IXScotland. There is also a page dedicated to LINX activities in North America.

Here’s a selection of some of the other stories included in this issue:

INDUSTRY NEWS

In our industry news pages we have two important broadband stories. These include the Governemnt consultation on 5 year tax break for new full fibre networks plus the UK areas that will be trialing full fibre as part of new Government backed pilot schemes.

EVENTS

The Autumn is a busy time for events. We review EPF12 in Lisbon and NANOG71 in California as well as preview Capacity Europe in London and AfricaCom in Cape Town.

Finally there’s also round ups and articles from the Internet Society, RIPE NCC, DNS Belgium, Kentik, Netnod plus conference sponsors EPS Global and Finisar plus Ciena and ProLabs.

Sep 29 2017
0

Djibouti Telecom connects its IP network to LINX

By | LINX News
Djibouti Telecom, a leading East African telecom operator, has joined LINX, the first network from that country to do so
Djibouti Telecom, the sole voice and data services provider in Djibouti and a leading IP transit service provider in the East Africa region, have joined LINX. They are first member to join the exchange from the country taking the number of territories represented at the exchange to 75.

With this new membership, Djibouti Telecom IP networks and Internet service providers will have access to many of the most attractive peers at a lower cost. As a result, both new and existing customers will be able to experience reduced latency, increased resilience and reduced costs.

Djibouti Telecom say:

The massive data growth projections for East Africa have prompted a rethink of the industry’s business model, with Djibouti Telecom focused on ensuring Internet traffic is transported and managed across a reliable, diverse and secure network. That is why joining LINX is a key element to Djibouti Telecom’s strategy in providing greater value and a better Internet experience to its customers.

LINX met with Djibouti Telecom at the Capacity Middle East event in in March and following the application and connection process they were able to begin passing traffic at the exchange in September. They are connected at Telehouse North in the London’s Docklands on the LON1 network via LINX’s ConneXions programme.

For more information about Djibouti Telecom please visit www.Djiboutitelecom.dj

Capacity Events

LINX is a regular attendee and exhibitor at Capacity events around the World. The next such conference will be Capacity Europe 2017 which takes place in London on 24-26 October. If you would like to meet with LINX staff please contact us.

Sep 19 2017
0

Have your say: 2017 member survey

By | LINX News
The 2017 annual LINX membership survey is now open with respondents offered the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a DJI Spark video-drone.
We would be grateful for members’ cooperation in providing us with frank and honest answers to the selection of questions regarding LINX operations and the exchange’s position in the marketplace. It’s important for us to understand how members feel LINX is performing in all aspects of our work, and where you think there is room for improvement. We can then consider your response to help model future plans and developments.The survey process should take no more than 10 minutes.

New for 2017

For completing this survey members have the chance to win a video-drone, a DJI Spark! To be included in this competition please enter your email address at the end of the survey, where asked, and one lucky winner will be drawn once the survey closes on Friday 3rd November.

Please note that we will accept just one response per member with only the first received being recognised. However, all entrants to the competition will be included.

Once collated, the anonymous results of this survey will be analysed and presented by John Souter at LINX99 members meeting on 20th & 21st November 2017.

If you have any queries about the questions, please contact Member Relations or call Tel: +44 1733 207777