As a peering coordinator, you are at the forefront of ensuring smooth and efficient network connectivity. This role is crucial in the ever-evolving internet landscape, where interconnection between networks forms the backbone of data exchange. To perform this task optimally, you need a reliable set of tools. Let’s discuss some of them:
1. PeeringDB: The Global Peering Encyclopedia
PeeringDB is a vital global database for every peering coordinator. Imagine it as a large encyclopedia containing detailed information about networks, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), data center facilities, and all the contact details required to set up peering sessions.
With PeeringDB, you can:
- Find Potential Peering Partners: Search for networks with shared peering interests, both geographically and based on traffic.
- View Technical Details: Access information such as Autonomous System Number (ASN), IP addresses for peering, and peering policies of various organizations.
- Update Your Information: Ensure your network profile is always up-to-date so potential partners can easily find and contact you.
The accuracy of data in PeeringDB heavily relies on community contributions. Therefore, keeping your information relevant is part of good peering etiquette. It’s important to note that this article also discusses essential considerations before peering with our Internet Exchange.
2. Internet Routing Registries (IRR): Securing Network Routes
Internet Routing Registries (IRRs) are databases that store information about valid network routes. These are essential tools for global routing security and stability. As a peering coordinator, you will use IRRs to:
- Register Your Routes: Ensure that the IP routes you announce are correctly registered in the IRR, allowing other networks to verify them.
- Verify Partner Routes: Before establishing a peering session, it’s crucial to check your partner’s IRR to ensure that the routes they announce are legitimate and originate from the correct ASN.
- Prevent Route Hijacking: With IRRs, you can help prevent route hijacking or the announcement of false routes that can disrupt connectivity.
Proper use of IRRs is a best practice in maintaining internet routing integrity. For further understanding, you can read about the role of IP Transit in data center connectivity.
3. Looking Glass and Route Server: Peering into Networks
Looking Glass is a web-based tool that allows you to view routing information from another network’s perspective. It’s very useful for troubleshooting and verifying connectivity. Meanwhile, a Route Server is a server that facilitates peering at an IXP, allowing many networks to peer with each other through a single connection point.
- Looking Glass: Use this to check if your network is visible correctly from your partner’s side, or to see the path traffic takes to a specific destination.
- Route Server: At an IXP, a route server simplifies the peering process by reducing the number of individual BGP sessions you need to manage.
These tools provide invaluable visibility into the internet routing ecosystem.
4. Network Monitoring Systems
Having visibility into your own network’s performance is key. Network monitoring systems can help you track important metrics such as “The Networking’s Trio: Latency, Bandwidth, and Throughput”. With this data, you can:
- Identify Issues: Detect high latency or throughput degradation that might indicate a peering problem. You can also understand the 7 causes of high latency on servers.
- Measure Peering Quality: Evaluate the effectiveness of your peering sessions by monitoring traffic performance.
- Plan Capacity: Use historical data to anticipate future bandwidth needs and plan for connectivity upgrades.
Proactive monitoring systems can prevent connectivity issues before they significantly impact users.
5. Automation Tools and Custom Scripts
As networks grow, manually managing peering sessions can become a burdensome task. Automation tools and custom scripts can be extremely helpful in:
- Automated BGP Configuration: Create scripts to automate the configuration of new BGP sessions.
- Automated IRR Updates: Integrate IRR updates with your network management system.
- Automated Reporting: Generate regular reports on peering status and network performance.
Automation allows peering coordinators to focus on strategic tasks rather than daily operations.
By mastering these tools, a peering coordinator can significantly enhance the efficiency, security, and quality of network interconnection. It’s not just about technical management, but also about building strong relationships within the internet community to ensure fast and stable connectivity for everyone.
To support your interconnection needs, EDGE DC provides EPIX (Edge Peering Internet Exchange), an internet exchange designed to facilitate reliable and efficient peering.
