IXP Manager logo
Forgot Password?

Mini Guide

Membership of INEX is open to all organisations with an AS number and portable IP address space (e.g. ISPs, transit providers, content providers, VoIP service providers) who wish to exchange IP traffic with other members of the exchange.

Organisations considering full INEX membership will need to satisfy the following practical requirements before they can successfully exchange traffic at INEX.

Portable IP address space

Each organisation wishing to exchange traffic with other organisations over an internet exchange needs their own portable IP address space. There are two ways to acquire portable IP addresses from Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), wuch as RIPE.

  • PI Assignment – Smaller organisations will normally choose to apply for a “Provider Independent” IP address assignment. This is requested from a RIR through the organisation’s regular ISP using the RIPE-356 form.
    It should be noted that PI assignments smaller than 256 IP addresses are not generally routable on the Internet. In addition, it is not guaranteed that PI assignments of 256 IP addresses or greater are universally visible on the Internet.
  • RIR Membership – For larger organisations, the normal procedure is to become a RIR member and be allocated a much larger block of “Provider Allocated” (PA) address space. Further details on RIPE NCC membership can be found at the RIPE NCC New Membership page.

INEX does not provide IP addresses or AS numbers for its members.

Autonomous System number

Once an organisation has its own block of portable IP address space, it is necessary to apply for an autonomous system (AS) number. This number uniquely identifies the organisation on the Internet, and is used to group all the organisation’s IP address space together. IP traffic routing decisions on the Internet are generally performed on a per-AS number basis rather than a per IP address block basis.

A signed membership form sent to INEX

Once a prospective member has its services and systems running in its own IP address block and announced on the Internet using its own AS number, an INEX membership application form should be signed in duplicate and sent to eileen.gallagher@inex.ie

Peering with other members

INEX runs a route server at the exchange and connecting to this is the easiest way for members to peer with other members. For those members with selective peering status, members can, via IXP Manager, request peering directly. Members at the exchange are not obliged to peer with all members.

Connectivity to the INEX peering LAN

It is the responsibility of the new INEX member to organise connectivity to the INEX peering LAN. There are several methods of connecting. If the member has a suitable router in one of the data centres where INEX is located, then it will be necessary to order a cross-connect from the co-location provider to link the router in the member’s cabinet to the switches in the INEX suite. A list of accepted interface types is specified on the INEX connection specification web page.

If the member does not have a router in an INEX-enabled data centre, then connectivity must be arranged into the data centre and then on to the INEX suite. There are two options for remote connectivity of this form: either a metro ethernet service can be ordered, which will allow the member to keep their router at their primary systems housing location. Alternatively, the member can lease a traditional TDM or SDH circuit and house a router in the INEX suite.