In many parts of the world, connecting to the Internet is slow and expensive. Peering (the exchange of traffic between networks) can help solve this.
When you send an email to a friend, it travels through the network you are connected to.
Often, the message will have to cross another network (or many other networks) before reaching your friend's inbox.
The entities that own and manage these networks (service providers, companies, universities, governments) make agreements about what happens when your email moves from one network to another. Peering is when they agree to freely exchange their traffic with each other for mutual benefit.
Public Versus Private Peering
There are two main types of peering:
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Public peering is typically done through an Internet Exchange Point (IXP), where one network can connect to multiple networks through a single connection.
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Private peering is when two or more networks agree to exchange their traffic in a private facility.
Without a local IXP, Internet service providers must use expensive international Internet connectivity to exchange and access global traffic, content hosted overseas, and local traffic.
How Public Peering Works
The IXP provides the hardware necessary to connect multiple networks. And each network operator must have an individual peering agreement with each of the other networks that connect through the IXP.
Most peering agreements require network operators to have the following:
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A publicly routed Autonomous System Number (ASN);
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A block of public IP addresses; and
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A network border router capable of running Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).
The benefits of public peering
Peering through IXPs keeps traffic local, providing faster connections between two networks.
It's also cheaper, because networks exchange traffic directly, rather than paying a third party to do it. And it provides greater control over traffic flows, improves overall network performance, and increases bandwidth capacity.
In addition, network operators have access to additional support provided by their peers.
The difference peering is making
In Africa, peering through IXPs is improving connectivity, reducing costs and creating opportunities.
