DE-CIX

DE-CIX is a major Internet exchange point (IXP) located in Frankfurt, Germany, and is operated by DE-CIX Management GmbH. It is one of the largest Internet exchange points in the world, providing peering and interconnection services to over 1000 network operators, including Telekom Deutschland, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany, and T-Systems. DE-CIX is a member of the European Internet Exchange Association (Euro-IX) and is certified by the RIPE NCC and the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). DE-CIX also collaborates with other major Internet exchange points such as AMS-IX in Amsterdam, LINX in London, and JPIX in Tokyo.

Introduction

DE-CIX is a critical component of the global Internet infrastructure, enabling the exchange of Internet traffic between different network operators. The company's Internet exchange point is built on a Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure, providing high-speed and low-latency interconnection services to its customers. DE-CIX is also a member of the Global Peering Forum (GPF) and the Internet Society (ISOC), and participates in various Internet governance initiatives, including the ICANN and the IETF. DE-CIX has partnerships with major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), as well as with content delivery networks (CDNs) like Akamai Technologies and Limelight Networks.

History

DE-CIX was founded in 1995 by the University of Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen University of Applied Sciences, and the Dortmund City Council. Initially, the company focused on providing Internet access to the local academic community and research networks, including the DFN (Deutsches Forschungsnetz) and the GÉANT network. Over the years, DE-CIX has expanded its services to become a major Internet exchange point, with a significant presence in the global Internet ecosystem. DE-CIX has also established partnerships with other major Internet exchange points such as DECIX Madrid in Madrid, DECIX Istanbul in Istanbul, and DECIX New York in New York City. DE-CIX has collaborated with organizations like the European Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the German Research Foundation (DFG) on various research projects.

Technical Overview

DE-CIX's Internet exchange point is built on a redundant and scalable architecture, with multiple 10-Gigabit Ethernet and 100-Gigabit Ethernet connections. The company uses a combination of Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks equipment to provide high-performance and low-latency interconnection services. DE-CIX also offers a range of value-added services, including remote peering, cloud connectivity, and DDoS protection services, in partnership with companies like Verizon Digital Media Services and Level 3 Communications. DE-CIX is connected to multiple data centers in Frankfurt, including the Equinix FR2 and Interxion Frankfurt facilities, and has a presence in other major data centers such as Telehouse North in London and Telehouse Paris in Paris.

Services

DE-CIX offers a range of services to its customers, including peering, colocation, and interconnection services. The company provides Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet connections, as well as 100-Gigabit Ethernet and 400-Gigabit Ethernet connections for high-bandwidth applications. DE-CIX also offers cloud connectivity services, enabling customers to connect to major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Additionally, DE-CIX provides DDoS protection services, in partnership with companies like Akamai Technologies and Verizon Digital Media Services, to help protect customers against cyber threats. DE-CIX has partnerships with major telecom operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Telekom Deutschland, and Vodafone Germany.

Locations

DE-CIX has a significant presence in Frankfurt, with multiple points of presence (PoPs) in the city. The company is connected to several major data centers in Frankfurt, including the Equinix FR2 and Interxion Frankfurt facilities. DE-CIX also has a presence in other major data centers such as Telehouse North in London and Telehouse Paris in Paris. In addition, DE-CIX has established remote peering locations in Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg, enabling customers to connect to the Internet exchange point from multiple locations. DE-CIX has partnerships with major Internet exchange points such as AMS-IX in Amsterdam, LINX in London, and JPIX in Tokyo.

Peering and Interconnection

DE-CIX provides peering and interconnection services to over 1000 network operators, including Internet service providers (ISPs), content providers, and cloud providers. The company's Internet exchange point is built on a Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure, providing high-speed and low-latency interconnection services to its customers. DE-CIX is a member of the European Internet Exchange Association (Euro-IX) and is certified by the RIPE NCC and the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). DE-CIX has partnerships with major telecom operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Telekom Deutschland, and Vodafone Germany, as well as with content delivery networks (CDNs) like Akamai Technologies and Limelight Networks. DE-CIX also collaborates with organizations like the European Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the German Research Foundation (DFG) on various research projects.