MANILA-IX

MANILA-IX
Name	MANILA-IX
Type	Internet exchange point
Founded	2012
Location	Manila, Philippines
Region served	National, Southeast Asia
Members	~80
Peak traffic	120 Gbps

MANILA-IX MANILA-IX is an Internet exchange point based in Manila, Philippines, providing peering and routing infrastructure for regional and international network operators. It connects ISPs, content delivery networks, cloud providers, educational networks, and enterprise carriers to reduce latency and transit costs. The exchange facilitates interconnection among stakeholders involved in telecommunications, media delivery, and critical online services across Southeast Asia.

Overview

MANILA-IX operates as a neutral peering fabric similar in purpose to LINX, DE-CIX, AMS-IX, Equinix, and JPIX while serving a mix of local and international participants such as PLDT, Globe Telecom, DITO Telecommunity, NTT Communications, and Akamai Technologies. The exchange uses technologies and protocols associated with Border Gateway Protocol, Multiprotocol Label Switching, Ethernet, and Internet Protocol implementations from vendors like Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, and Huawei. It interconnects with regional IXPs including SGIX, HKIX, JPNAP, and BIX to optimize paths for content from providers like Netflix, Google, Facebook, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure.

History

MANILA-IX originated amid initiatives by Philippine telecommunications stakeholders inspired by developments at APNIC, Packet Clearing House, and exchanges such as SINGAREN. Early discussions included participation from academic institutions like University of the Philippines and research networks such as PREGINET and Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network. The exchange was established to address high latency observed on routes transiting via Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Initial members included national carriers and regional transit providers such as PLDT, Globe Telecom, SkyCable, AIT, and NTT. Over time, MANILA-IX attracted content providers and CDNs like Cloudflare, Fastly, Limelight Networks, and Facebook to place cache servers and interconnect directly.

Network Infrastructure

MANILA-IX deploys redundant switching and peering fabric across carrier-neutral data centers such as facilities operated by Equinix, Global-Electronics Technology, PHNet, and regional colocation providers. The infrastructure uses high-capacity fiber routes interfacing with submarine cable systems including Asia-America Gateway, SEA-ME-WE 3, ASEAN-India Cable, Trans-Pacific Express, and Asia Pacific Gateway. MANILA-IX implements route servers that interact with routers from Cisco Systems, Arista Networks, Juniper Networks, and Ciena using BGP communities and public peering VLANs. Member interconnections use 1G, 10G, and 100G ports and rely on packet transport from carriers such as PLDT, Globe Telecom, SingTel, NTT Communications, and Telstra.

Services and Membership

Membership comprises ISPs, mobile network operators, content providers, enterprise networks, and academic networks including PLDT, Globe Telecom, DITO Telecommunity, Sky Cable, Akamai Technologies, Cloudflare, Google, Facebook, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Netflix, Fastly, Limelight Networks, Verizon Business, NTT Communications, SingTel, and Telstra. MANILA-IX offers bilateral and multilateral peering, virtual LAN services, colocation facilitation, and support for multicast from operators like E-Plus and SingAREN. Value-added services include route server access, private peering, and interconnection facilitation for content hubs similar to arrangements at LINX and DE-CIX.

Peering and Traffic Statistics

Traffic patterns reflect peak flows from content platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify with significant ingress from cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Peak traffic measurements have been reported in the hundreds of gigabits per second range, comparable to regional IXPs such as SGIX and HKIX. MANILA-IX publishes aggregate statistics for member peering sessions and port utilization, and its route servers handle routes announced by networks including PLDT, Globe Telecom, NTT Communications, SingTel, Telstra, Akamai Technologies, Cloudflare, and Fastly.

Governance and Policies

MANILA-IX governance follows models used by APNIC, RIPE NCC, IETF, and ICANN where policies for peering, acceptable use, and membership are defined in consultation with stakeholders such as PLDT, Globe Telecom, DITO Telecommunity, academic networks like University of the Philippines, and community organizations like Packet Clearing House. Peering requirements incorporate technical criteria similar to guidelines from RIPE NCC and operational best practices from IETF working groups. Dispute resolution, acceptable use, and interconnection agreements mirror frameworks employed by LINX and DE-CIX.

Impact and Future Developments

MANILA-IX has reduced latency for domestic traffic and improved reachability for services delivered by Netflix, Google, Facebook, AWS, and Microsoft Azure while enabling regional interconnection with SGIX, HKIX, and JPNAP. Planned developments include expansion to additional carrier-neutral data centers, continued adoption of 100G ports, and enhanced peering automation using technologies advocated by IETF and implemented by vendors like Cisco Systems, Arista Networks, and Juniper Networks. Strategic objectives align with national digital initiatives involving Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Economic and Development Authority, and academic stakeholders such as University of the Philippines to support resilience for services across the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Category:Internet exchange points in the Philippines