Foundation Projects

FCA: IXP Research 2024

Internet Initiative Japan

This funding is to support research by Internet Initiative Japan to research the connectivity, distribution and health of the Internet Exchange Point (IXP) ecosystem.

The role of IXPs in enhancing the efficiency of Internet traffic exchange within a country is widely acknowledged. IXPs reduce reliance on international transit and facilitate local peering, which can lead to a more resilient and efficient internet infrastructure. This research aims to quantitatively assess the influence of IXPs on the local internet ecosystem in APAC region by examining the interconnectivity and peering dynamics within these important network hubs.

Research Objectives

  1. IXP and ASN Connectivity Analysis: Determine the proportion of active ASNs in the region that are connected to at least one IXP and those connected to multiple IXPs. This will provide insights into the level of engagement and redundancy in the local peering environment.
  2. IXP Distribution and Peering Ecosystem Health: Evaluate the distribution of ASNs across multiple IXPs to understand if there's a concentration of peers in few IXPs or if peers are evenly distributed across available IXPs. This includes analysing unique ASNs that only connect to a single IXP versus those that peer at multiple locations.
  3. Correlational: Investigate the correlation between the number of IXPs and the quality of peering relationships, including the diversity of peering and its impact on the overall network resilience and performance.