Demystifying peering (Tom Paseka)
- What is peering?
In United States regulatory law interconnection is specifically defined (47 C.F.R. 51.5) as: “the linking of two or more networks for the mutual exchange of traffic.”
- Why do we peer?
- Direct relationship with “neighboring” networks.
ii. Improved Performance
iii. Improved Reliability / Resilience
iv. Better control of traffic
v. Cost efficiency
- Who manages peering?
i. Peering Manager
– Often handled by a NOC or Engineering function
– Responds to and generates peering requests over IXPs, sets up PNIs
– Technical expertise not required, but will be an added perk.
- Interconnection Manager – Often a dedicated role or committee
– Manages overall strategy on interconnection (Peering, Transit)
– Technical expertise not required, most people in this role have a Network Engineering
background .