Peering

Peering is a relationship between two Internet Service Providers (ISP) where they agree to exchange each others network prefixes and thereby allowing flow of traffic. Peering might take place over dedicated circuits or via a shared peering fabric (typically located at a neutral collocation facility or Internet exchange). The method chosen will depend on many factors, including the volume of traffic exchange, any special services required, etc.

ERNET is not interested in peering just for the sake of it but needs to see some value in the arrangement. This value might be improved performance by reducing latency between the parties or it might be the facilitation of advanced services, such as using multicast to deliver streaming content. Any peering must take into account the cost to ERNET, e.g. co-location costs, additional routers, interfaces, circuits, etc., and where the benefit is small ERNET may choose not to peer but continue using its transit relationships to source the traffic.

Peering Locations

ERNET is doing peering with different networks which are described below:

• ERNET is doing peering with upstream ISPs such as Reliance, Tata Communications & Bharti to provide access to commercial internet to ERNET users. These peering are being done from each ERNET PoP except PoP at Gorakhpur
• ERNET India is peering with National Knowledge Network (NKN) at Mumbai for providing access to global Research Networks to ERNET users. It is done through 10 G link between ERNET and NKN.
• To route domestic traffic internally within the country and to save costly international links, ERNET is peering with National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta & Chennai.