A. An Internet exchange is an interconnection point where networks exchange traffic destined for one another's networks using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). NWAX differs from many exchanges by additionally offering VLAN connections between members.
A. NWAX evolved from OHSU and PSU experience with Internet2®. Internet2® gave our institutions the ability to use advanced applications such as IP videoconferences that do not work reliably on the Internet. We wanted to use these advanced capabilities with regional partners but were constrained due to the relatively poor quality connections available via the Internet, especially locally. High cost and poor quality particularly constrains applications such as telemedicine that historically needed expensive dedicated circuits, which makes these applications unaffordable. NWAX provides a much more cost-effective approach than dedicated circuits and cost effective, reliable access to transit.
Q. Why is it important that the Exchange be "vendor-neutral?"
A. If a network service provider both operated the Exchange and offered commercial network services, then other providers would be reluctant to join the Exchange out of concern that they would face an uneven playing field economically. The point of the Northwest Access Exchange is to encourage networks to exchange traffic and to contract for services locally via an open access facility.
Q. How does a metropolitan or local Internet exchange differ from a national Network Access Point (NAP) or Metropolitan Area Exchange (MAE)?
A. The NAP and MAE were developed to enable the national ("Tier 1") Internet service providers (ISPs) to exchange national traffic. Metropolitan or local exchanges are designed for the exchange of local traffic. The Northwest Access Exchange allows the exchange of traffic both nationally and locally. In addition, the Exchange provides the ability to buy and sell services, such as Internet transit.
Q. How will the Northwest Access Exchange be different from other exchanges?
A.The Northwest Access Exchange will provide both exchange of local traffic and access to transit. It also provides a common interconnection point for offering and accessing network connections, bandwidth, services and content provided by other members.
Q. Historically, public exchanges have become congested. How will Northwest Access Exchange (NWAX) be different?
A. The Northwest Access Exchange promotes business models that motivate the participants and the Exchange operators to help ensure that the Exchange maintains high-quality service.
One of the problems with national peering points is that no mechanism is available for networks to pay one another for providing quality service to another network's customers. Regional transit exchanges like NWAX overcome this problem by providing direct regional interconnections that allow networks to offer high-quality services for a fee.
Q. Will the Exchange be reliable and available 24x7?
A. This is a priority for all current and potential members. Support is available 24 hours a day.
The Exchange consists of two fully redundant networks. Members that need highly reliable service should connect to both networks. Basic membership includes two ports, one on each network. NWAX first became operational in December 2001 and has since suffered no unscheduled outages involving both networks. Members connected to just one network have had unscheduled downtime although current single network system reliability exceeds .999. NWAX Service Level Agreement for reliability is specified in the member agreement. The exchange currently exceeds the SLA substantially. The SLA only counts unscheduled down time. The exchange may be taken down a few hours at a time for maintenance scheduled well in advance, generally very early on Sunday mornings. In practice, scheduled maintenance down time has only occurred a few times a year and normally requires only one switch down at a time for brief periods.
Q. What are the key business advantages to being an Exchange member?
A. One advantage is access to the entire regional market with a single connection. This saves on telecommunications circuit costs, which have become a dominant cost for Internet access. Other benefits include:
Ability to offer and access advanced applications requiring high quality of service that are not available via the Internet
Greatly reduced infrastructure costs
Reduced Internet bandwidth costs and the choice of multiple providers
Access to multiple services, service providers and /or customers and business partners with one connection
Redundant, highly reliable access
Q. What services will the Exchange offer?
A. Services include ports (10/100/1000), peering and private VLAN services. See NWAX Service Options.
Q. What are the requirements for joining the Exchange?
A. Members must do the following:
For Peering:
Operate Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Version 4 (or later) or have access via an ISP that does.
Agree to Exchange policies intended to protect the reliability and performance of all participants.
Commit to maintaining their own network infrastructure at a level that enables good quality of service for end users.
Private Network connections use private VLAN.
Q. What equipment is the Exchange using and what interfaces are available?
A. The Exchange uses Dual Foundry switches in all locations. Gigabit, Fast Ethernet and Ethernet (1000, 100, 10 Mbps) are available with copper and fiber options.
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Q. How much will memberships in the Exchange cost?
Q. Will NWAX or PREN act as a telecommunications carrier?
A. No.
Q. What will the Exchange do for the region?
A. It will:
Help the region attain critical mass on the Internet.
Enable next-generation capabilities and business opportunities not otherwise available (such as high-quality, two-way, interactive and on-demand video), leading-edge distance education, telemedicine, telecommuting, voice-over IP and high-quality multi-user gaming.
Increase access to high quality, competitive services and providers for both urban and rural areas.
Q. With local exchanges in Seattle, Eugene and Bend, why do we need an exchange in Portland?
A. Different providers and networks serve each area. Portland provides a unique opportunity not found in other cities to achieve critical mass, allow members to use the Exchange to buy and sell services and enable advanced applications. Our goal is for NWAX members to be able to connect to exchanges throughout the region to enable our members to offer and access advanced services at competitive rates.
Q. How can the metropolitan exchange model improve the Internet?
A. The metropolitan exchange model can provide a more efficient routing structure that minimizes distances and routing hops between locations. The metropolitan model also makes it easier both technically and from a business perspective to provide high quality of service applications that enable a market-based approach to stimulate competition. Ultimately, the simplified architecture that the metropolitan model provides may also help:
Accelerate deployment of future applications
Enable the successful deployment of multicast
Improve user mobility
Provide a simple solution to address exhaustion
Improve both routing and domain-name service stability
Q. Will the Exchange prevent subscribers from causing each other problems?
A. Exchanges have operated successfully since the early days of the Internet and problems are relatively few. Based on input from users, configuration, policies and tools will be adopted to prevent problems between subscribers.
