SIX (Seattle Internet Exchange)

SIX (Seattle Internet Exchange)
Name	SIX (Seattle Internet Exchange)
Formation	1997
Type	Non-profit Internet exchange point
Headquarters	Seattle, Washington
Region served	Pacific Northwest, United States
Membership	Internet service providers, content providers, cloud providers, research networks

SIX (Seattle Internet Exchange) is a carrier-neutral Internet exchange point based in Seattle, Washington, established to facilitate local interconnection among Internet service providers, content delivery networks, cloud providers, and research networks. It reduces transit costs and latency by enabling direct peering among networks across the Pacific Northwest and serves as a critical interconnection fabric for regional and global traffic. The exchange has grown from a small regional fabric into a key node that connects major cloud platforms, content providers, telecommunications carriers, and research institutions.

Overview

The exchange operates as a neutral, not-for-profit switching fabric connecting networks including regional incumbents and global operators such as Amazon (company), Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Netflix and major carriers like AT&T, Verizon Communications, T-Mobile US, and CenturyLink. It provides ethernet-based peering and ports compatible with equipment from vendors like Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, and Ciena. SIX interconnects with facilities operated by data center companies and colocation providers including Equinix, Digital Realty, QTS Realty Trust and regional operators such as Intergate.Manhattan, enabling cross-connects for participants like Cloudflare, Akamai Technologies, Fastly, Oracle Corporation and research networks such as Internet2 and ESnet. The exchange complements transpacific submarine cable landings and terrestrial backhaul served by companies like SubCom and NEC Corporation as part of broader connectivity for Pacific Rim traffic handled by carriers including Hibernia Networks and NTT Communications.

History

Founded in 1997 amid growth in web content and regional ISPs, SIX was created by local network operators and research institutions to avoid expensive upstream transit through providers like Sprint Corporation and MCI Communications. Early participants included local telecommunications companies and academic networks associated with University of Washington and regional Internet service providers. Over the 2000s and 2010s, expansion of content delivery networks and cloud providers—such as Akamai Technologies, Amazon (company), Google and Microsoft—dramatically increased member diversity and traffic volumes. The exchange evolved alongside developments in peering policy models used by Level 3 Communications and other backbone providers, and adapted to the rise of private interconnects used by hyperscalers including Facebook and Netflix. Regulatory and market shifts influenced the role of Internet exchange points in metropolitan markets, mirroring deployments seen at other major IXPs like DE-CIX, LINX, and Netnod.

Infrastructure and Locations

SIX runs redundant Layer 2 ethernet fabrics with meet-me-points in multiple carrier-neutral data centers across Seattle and the surrounding region. Key colocation sites include facilities owned by Equinix, Digital Realty, Flexential, and regional hubs operated by QTS Realty Trust and EdgeConneX. Hardware deployed at aggregation and distribution layers commonly comes from Arista Networks and Cisco Systems with optical transport provided by Ciena and Infinera. The exchange supports 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G and higher-speed ports, and uses route servers and route-reflection techniques familiar to operators at exchanges such as AMS-IX and LINX. Connectivity reaches subsea cable landing stations used by networks carrying transpacific traffic involving projects from NEC Corporation and consortia similar to those behind Unity and Pacific Light Cable Network.

Membership and Peering Policies

Membership draws a mix of ISPs, content delivery networks, cloud platforms, enterprise networks, and research institutions including University of Washington, Amazon (company), and Cloudflare. Peering policies range from open multilateral peering via route servers to bilateral private peering agreements, influenced by models used at exchanges like DE-CIX and IX.br. Participants negotiate peering arrangements similar to those used by Level 3 Communications and major carriers; commercial members may have settlement-free peering, paid peering, or paid transit relationships. The exchange publishes technical requirements and acceptable use terms, aligning with operational practices seen at Euro-IX member IXPs and regulatory expectations set by agencies that oversee telecommunications infrastructure.

Traffic Statistics and Impact

Traffic through the exchange has grown in line with regional demand for streaming media, cloud services, gaming, and enterprise SaaS, mirroring trends observed at major peering hubs such as AMS-IX and DE-CIX. Peak aggregate throughput has fluctuated with content-driven events and global traffic patterns driven by companies like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and gaming platforms from Valve Corporation and Electronic Arts. Localizing traffic on the exchange reduces latency for services hosted by Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Amazon Web Services, improving performance for applications from companies such as Zoom Video Communications and Slack Technologies. The exchange plays a role in regional resilience and disaster recovery planning alongside transport providers like Level 3 Communications and Zayo Group.

Governance and Funding

SIX is governed by a member-driven model typical of not-for-profit IXPs, with an executive or volunteer board drawn from participating networks similar to governance at LINX and DE-CIX. Funding derives from membership fees, port charges, and occasionally sponsorship by equipment vendors such as Cisco Systems or Arista Networks, following practices seen at community IXPs worldwide. Operational decisions and technical policies are set through member votes and working groups comparable to procedures at Euro-IX member exchanges. Compliance with regional electrical and safety codes involves coordination with municipal authorities in Seattle and state-level regulators where necessary.

Notable Members and Exchanges Supported

Notable members include hyperscalers and content platforms like Amazon (company), Microsoft, Google, Netflix, Facebook, and CDN providers such as Akamai Technologies and Cloudflare. Telecommunications and backbone operators include AT&T, Verizon Communications, CenturyLink, Level 3 Communications, NTT Communications and Zayo Group. The exchange interconnects with other major exchanges and regional fabrics mirroring interactions with Equinix Internet Exchange points and peering hubs such as DE-CIX and LINX, supporting peering relationships that span North American and transpacific routes utilized by carriers like Hibernia Networks and global consortia.

Category:Internet exchange points Category:Telecommunications in Seattle Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington (state)