Benefits of Connecting Customers to LINX
Why having an IX like LINX in your facility or as an additional service for customers can be a key selling point
What is an Internet Exchange Point (IXP)?
An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is a network of networks, a digital hub where global networks interconnect and meet to pass traffic between eachother.
LINX deploys shared switching fabrics based on layer 2 Ethernet technology where networks connect using a single physical port or use multiple ports together to create a large single virtual port.
Whether you are a data centre partner where we have a full LINX technical presence on our network map or a LINX ConneXions Reseller Partner offering remote peering over the LINX network, the same benefits apply.
- Access to LINX is a key service to offer your customers
- Being connected to a LINX IXP gives networks access to peering services and more
- The network becomes a LINX member in their own right and can benefit from our 24/7 engineering support and public affairs guidance service
- Our member portal allows them to manage their LINX services with ease
Peering and More
Internet peering has been the primary method of exchanging network traffic in Europe for over 25 years. It is used by large Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to smaller local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and more recently, networks from enterprise, finance, gaming, media and more.
Why Peer?
- Keep network traffic local
- Low network latency, less hops
- Increases control of traffic and security
- Can be more cost effective than other methods
- Added resilience and redundancy
LINX Additional Services
We offer additional interconnection services available for your customers to consume over the LINX network.
Networks connected to LINX must have an Autonomous System Number (ASN) in order to peer with us and any IX. An ASN is a unique number, like a address so networks can identify themselves to other networks and communicate.
Follow the link below to learn more about ASNs and the joining process for networks here at LINX.
Benefits of Peering for Finance and Enterprise Networks
By connecting ISPs, partners and customers directly, our interconnection technology helps financial organisations deliver faster, more reliable digital services – at a lower cost and with greater control and insights into their data.
- Minimise latency across digital services
- Get greater control and visibility of your network traffic
- Increased security
- The support of LINX 24/7 on call team
Many networks within the enterprise sector rely on multiple routes to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and cloud services. A hybrid IT set up if you like.
With one connection to LINX, enterprise networks can set up peering arrangements or access cloud services through LINX Cloud Connect or our Microsoft Peering Service (MAPS). One port, one invoice and with the full support of our on call engineering team.
Take a look at a presentation from LINX member network Team Cymru. John Brown is a Senior Security Evangelist and shares this update on why he would recommend enterprise networks peer at an IX like LINX.
The LINX Member Ecosystem
We have over 850 global networks connected to our interconnection hubs from education and government networks to gaming and media streaming networks.
Take a look at the LINX connected memnber list and if you have any customers who resemble these businesses or who are connected to LINX in one location but not in your geography, reach out and let’s get them connected – together!
View the LINX Connected Member Networks
The LINX Network
Take a closer look at our network locations, this includes over 16 Points of Presence (PoPs) in London with our dual LAN set up – LON1 and LON2. We also have regional interconnection hubs in the UK, LINX NoVA in the US and LINX Nairobi coming soon!
Useful Tools
PeeringDB is a freely available, user-maintained, database of networks, and the go-to location for interconnection data. The database facilitates the global interconnection of networks at Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), data centers, and other interconnection facilities, and is the first stop in making interconnection decisions.
The LINX Service Fees are the same for all networks large or small. As a membership organisation we charge a monthly membership fee of £100 ($140) and this includes the port access fee for the first 10GE port on each LINX LAN and also the first 1Gb of peering services on that port.