In a rapidly changing networking ecosystem, choosing the right connectivity option can be a challenge for all organizations. Different businesses have varying connectivity requirements; however, there is one thing they can all agree on — their connections must be fast, reliable, and secure for customers and end users.

One option growing in popularity is remote peering — enabling organizations, like service providers, carriers, network operators, content providers, and even enterprises, to exchange data/internet traffic and extend their reach globally without physical presence.

Peering provides immediate access to an ecosystem comprising thousands of other peering members, thereby shortening the distance that data travels to end users. This improves speed and performance while also reducing latency.

Peering is enabled and hosted at Internet exchange points (IXPs); however, gaining a presence at each IXP can be costly and complex without the right expertise. Partnering with a network provider that offers specialist peering services can help to overcome these challenges. Organizations can gain new levels of flexibility, scalability, and efficiency from one single connection.

Direct versus remote peering

Direct peering is a way for ISPs, carriers, content providers, and other businesses to physically connect their network platforms. This can be done through a fiber connection to an IXP located in the same building or via a data center fiber cross-connect that links both networks within the same building.

However, direct peering requires colocation space, power, hardware, and cabling that can be complex to manage. As IP traffic continues to grow, scaling, managing, and operating the network architecture becomes even more challenging.

On the other hand, remote peering is peering at an IXP without the need to be physically present. This can help organizations to seamlessly connect and access to multiple IXPs in a cost-effective and flexible manner, without the need for additional installation costs or colocating in the same facility.

Remote peering is an attractive option for businesses looking to expand their global network coverage while keeping their operating costs low. Businesses can connect to an infinite number of networks via a single interconnection port to an IXP without the need for physical hardware at the local IXP. By load-balancing connectivity requirements over multiple IXPs, businesses can improve the redundancy of their network, sourcing the best combination of physical and remote peering connections to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted service for customers and end users.

Partnering for remote peering success

One of the easiest ways for organizations to get started with remote peering is by partnering with an experienced network as a service (NaaS) provider. A NaaS provider can help businesses to flexibly scale their networks and peering services according to demands, with the added bonus of having additional network services available at the click of a button.

This provides a one-stop solution that enables internet connectivity to be established remotely from a point of presence (PoP) to IXPs around the world.

Remote peering with a professional provider can provide many opportunities and key benefits for businesses, including:

• Extensive global reach — Simple and expansive interconnectivity to global IXPs without the need for a physical presence.
• Scalable connectivity — Easy, remote, and on-demand connectivity to multiple IXPs, with the flexibility to scale bandwidth according to unique needs.
• Enhanced user experiences — Reduced network latency with a minimized number of hops between service providers. This helps to achieve optimal performance for bandwidth-sensitive applications.
• Cost optimization — The need for substantial upfront investments is eliminated, with businesses paying solely for the required bandwidth and connections.
• Seamless onboarding — Simplified peering journey with an expert partner managing all IXP memberships and onboarding, all through a single contract.
• Single-access port — The expenses and time constraints associated with having a physical presence at multiple IXPs is removed. Preferred peering partners are conveniently available through a single interconnection port.

Enabling global connectivity

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it's more important than ever for businesses to provide seamless end-user experiences with high-performance global connectivity. Remote peering is a flexible and cost-effective method to do this.

This approach is ideal for organizations looking to quickly establish presence in new markets and expand on a global scale. By connecting to IXPs worldwide without any physical presence, organizations can overcome common networking challenges, enhance their customers’ network experience, and keep up with customer demands.

By leveraging a NaaS provider, companies can remove the complexities from peering and benefit from a team of experts ready to make the journey as simple as possible. This approach not only addresses immediate challenges, but also provides a compelling pathway to future-proof their network architectures and thrive in today’s interconnected digital landscape.