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2010-07-01NIX.CZ Association in the Middle of 2010

The development of the largest Czech Internet Exchange Point in the first half of this year was focused on the preparation for the transition to the new "dual star" topology of the infrastructure. However, also the capacity of the existing ring topology was being continuously and intensively increased, mainly through the maximum use of line aggregation on the fibres between individual nodes of the Association. Simultaneously, thanks to the January drop in prices, there was a rapid increase in the demand for high-capacity 10 Gb/s ports. As of today, 100 autonomous systems are connected to the NIX.CZ Association.

The implementation of the "dual star" topology, which will be carried out at the beginning of the second half of the year, is undoubtedly the most important event in the area of technological development of the Association in this year. The first preparatory phases focused on defining the needs of the largest Czech peering node based on the increase in data traffic in the region, situation in the market and availability of services necessary for hardware management and administration. In relation to testing of the equipment provided by potential suppliers in the frame of the tender, taking into account the experience of other IXP (Internet Exchange Points), the new topology was also being discussed with experts employed by the members of the NIX.CZ Association. After considering all specific needs, the association has chosen the CISCO Company to implement the new technology.

The expected increase in the number of connected high-speed 10 Gb/s ports caused by the significant drop in prices at the beginning of the year, resulted in the maximum utilization of the current capacity of the IXP. Fifty 10 Gb/s ports are connected as of today representing 20% increase comparing to the situation as of the end of 2009. Thanks to the ring topology enforcement and optimization of data traffic prior to the implementation of the new topology of the infrastructure, the data flow between individual nodes of the IXP runs without any problems. The Sitel location has been successfully equipped with an 80 Gb/s EtherChannel reaching the maximum limit of the used hardware in terms of line aggregation.

"The capacity of the existing ring topology has reached its maximum. We have reached the capacity limit of this technological solution. The transition to the new "dual star" topology of the infrastructure is – for the capacity, operational and financial reasons – a logical step towards long-term exponential growth in data volumes," says Ing. Tomáš Maršálek, Director of NIX.CZ Association.

Another milestone reached by the Association at the end of the first half of this year is the number of connected autonomous systems. At present, 100 autonomous systems are connected to the infrastructure of the Association and the number of connected companies reached 98. The ongoing increase in the number of connected companies and data traffics reflects the positive trend of the Internet industry in the region, and evidences that the NIX.CZ Association serves well its purpose – to provide a reliable neutral hardware platform and strategic centre of the Czech Internet.

About NIX.CZ Association:

NIX.CZ, a professional association of legal entities, has been associating leading Czech and foreign Internet related businesses in order to enable mutual interconnection of their networks. At present, NIX.CZ Association represents the largest IXP (Internet Exchange Point) in the Czech Republic and ranks among the 10 largest IXPs in Europe. Since 2003, the NIX.CZ Association has provided IPv6 based peering.

For more information about NIX.CZ Association please visit: www.nix.cz/ .

Contact person: Tereza Nikolaiová, Sales & Marketing Manager, tn [at] nix.cz
Information: www.nix.cz, NIX.CZ, z.s.p.o., Vinohradská 184, Praha 3

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