How to build and sustain a successful IXP

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Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) form the backbone of the modern Internet. By keeping traffic local, they cut latency, boost performance, and lower transit costs. But technology alone isn't enough, the real success of an IXP comes from trust, transparency, and the tangible value it delivers to participants.

According to PeeringDB and other industry sources, over 1,200 IXPs operate worldwide. Each began small, yet those that thrived managed to balance technical infrastructure with a strong community focus.

For example, when the Singapore Internet Exchange (SGIX) launched in 2010, it faced a familiar challenge - attracting networks to a new, small peering platform. Established as a neutral, not-for-profit exchange, SGIX aimed to strengthen Singapore as a regional information hub, attract content and transit providers, and reduce latency across the city-state.

Early adoption was slow. Potential peers hesitated due to SGIX's small member base, but the team took a pragmatic approach. Rather than immediately deploying new switches in multiple data centres, SGIX partnered with local circuit providers to extend connectivity to satellite sites while keeping port pricing consistent for all participants. The result was steady growth: 11-12 new members joined annually, eventually expanding SGIX to 180 peers across ten major data centres.

SGIX's story highlights several lessons as best practices for any IXP: Success requires balancing technical infrastructure with strategic, community-focused engagement. If you are planning to launch or grow an IXP, here's how to turn it into a thriving, sustainable platform.

Establish neutrality and build trust

Position your IXP as a neutral meeting ground where all networks, from small ISPs to global carriers, connect on equal footing. Neutrality encourages trust, and trust drives participation. Remember, an IXP is more than a switch; it's a space where competing interests intersect. Success depends on striking a balance between these interests and cultivating a culture of fairness within the community.

Demonstrate clear value

Operators join an IXP only when the benefits are obvious. Small ISPs gain faster, cheaper access to popular content and simplified network architecture. Content providers, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), and broadcasters bring content closer to end users, especially in underserved regions, improving reach and performance. Carriers and transit providers expand their markets by connecting with peers. The more diverse the mix of participants, the stronger and more resilient the exchange becomes.

Without reliable fibre and backhaul, enthusiasm for an IXP struggles to take root. Think of infrastructure as the roads that lead to your exchange - traffic cannot flow without them. Once these foundations are in place, they enable more than just connectivity; they create opportunities for new services, business models, and collaborations to emerge around the exchange.

An IXP only gains value when enough networks participate. Achieve this by engaging persistently, aligning with operator priorities, and highlighting early wins. Participation isn't a milestone; it's an ongoing process. Keep demonstrating value through improved performance, cost savings, and responsiveness to evolving needs.

Be transparent and plan for challenges

Networks invest where they trust. Make governance and operations transparent, and communicate clearly about technical updates, policies, and decisions. Go beyond infrastructure - organize workshops, foster partnerships, and support smaller operators. When an IXP becomes a hub for collaboration and innovation, it strengthens both technical and human connections.

Some operators may leave due to business or policy shifts. Anticipate setbacks and address them through consistent communication, transparency, and a focus on shared benefits. Resilient IXPs treat engagement as an ongoing effort that must be earned and nurtured over time.

The bigger picture

Building an IXP is more than a technical exercise. It demands cultivating relationships, ensuring fairness, and committing to long-term collaboration. Done well, an IXP becomes a cornerstone of national and regional Internet infrastructure - a platform that enhances performance, reduces costs, and strengthens connectivity for everyone.

Flavio Luciani is Chief Technology Officer at Namex (Roma IXP) and co-author of the book 'BGP: from theory to practice '.

The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.