An Internet exchange point (IXP) is a physical infrastructure that allows several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and network operators to exchange traffic between their networks, generally referred to as autonomous systems, by means of mutual peering agreements, which allow traffic to be exchanged at no cost.
Reacting to this feat achieved by IXPN, Mohammed Rudman, managing director, IXPN, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the link between Nigeria Internet exchange point and Ghana Internet exchange point was achieved last week and that with the interconnection of the two exchanges, internet traffic among the two countries will now be exchange locally without it having to go to Europe and come back.
“The linking of Nigeria Internet Exchange with Ghana’s Internet Exchange will save the two countries foreign exchange and cost as internet traffic between internet service providers in the two countries will be exchanged within the region as against the previous situation when such traffic will have to go to Europe before coming back to the region.
“This was achieved as a result of a well-articulated growth strategy and vision to be the leading IXP in Africa and a one stop company to service and content providers across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations revealed that the submarine fibre linking the two exchange points is ACE fibre provided by Dolfin Telecomms.
It was also gathered that Medallion Data centre is hosting the server designated for the link on Nigeria side while National Information Technology Agency of Ghana Data centre is hosting the country’s side of the server.
Ike Nnamani, chief executive officer, Medallion, said that linking the two exchange points is the first of its kind in the region and a good initiative aimed at reducing latency between the two countries as well keep African content local.
“We expect in near future for other internet exchange points in the sub-region to be linked so that we can keep the regional traffic within the region without it having to travel to Europe before coming to its destination in the region. Such interconnection will help our educational institutions in sharing of information as most of them are connected to their countries internet exchange point,” he added.
Organizations that connect their networks to an IXP benefits from reduced reliance on expensive international transit for exchanging local traffic between themselves, and improved efficiency of their operations and communications. Not only will this reduce transport costs and network latency, but will also ensure faster access to local content because local traffic is exchanged locally, rather than through one or more third party networks including international links.
This exchange of traffic between networks at an IXP is known as ‘peering’.
The Guardian
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