Internet Exchange Point (IXP)

An Internet Exchange Point, or IXP, is a central network infrastructure where independent networks can exchange internet traffic directly. Participants can include Internet Service Providers, cloud providers, Content Delivery Networks, data centres and large enterprise networks. This direct exchange of traffic is known as peering and takes place through shared switching infrastructure. As a result, traffic does not necessarily need to pass through external transit providers or longer network paths. This can reduce latency, improve the efficient use of network capacity and increase the resilience of internet connectivity. The Border Gateway Protocol, or BGP, is typically used to exchange routing information between participating autonomous systems. IXPs are therefore important components of the global internet infrastructure and support efficient data exchange between independent networks.