- Why "Free" Peering? Isn't all peering by definition "free?"
- The definition of peering includes no requirement with respect to payment, it is the exchange of traffic between members of directly connected networks.
There are costs associated with peering, and the apportionment of those costs is often part of the peering negotiation.
Free Peering recommends using an Internet Exchange with unmetered connections between participants. This simplifies the peering process by allowing each participant to arrange their own connectivity and pay independently of all other potential peers.
The use of subscription to a route server further simplifies the exchange of routing information so that each new participant's routes can automatically be learned by the existing participants.
- What are the benefits of peering?
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- Optimising routing efficiency
Local traffic to local connections will take a direct route, rather than via your transit provider.
- potential savings in traffic costs
Particularly where your transit provider (ISP or other) meters your usage and charges you accordingly.
- Partial transit provider redundancy.
If your transit provider's equipment or connection fails, you can continue to peer with other networks.
- Which ISPs are peering?
- For information on your ISPs peering behaviour select this link:
For authoritative information about an ISP's peering policy, please contact them directly.
