What is peering?
Peering is when different networks connect with each other directly to exchange data. It allows the networks to share their resources and make direct connections instead of depending on other networks or companies.
example:
Imagine you have two banks located in different cities, Bank A and Bank B. Both banks have many customers who want to send money between their accounts. Normally, if a customer from Bank A wants to send money to a customer in Bank B, the transaction would go through a third-party payment processor or clearinghouse. This can take time and may involve additional fees.
However, Bank A and Bank B realize that they have a lot of customers who want to send money to each other. To make things faster and more efficient, they decide to establish a direct connection between their banking systems. This direct connection is like a peering agreement in the networking world.
With this direct connection, Bank A and Bank B can exchange information about their customers' transactions directly. When a customer from Bank A wants to send money to a customer in Bank B, the banks can communicate directly without involving a third-party processor. The money can be transferred quickly and securely, with lower fees since they are not relying on external services.
Peering in this bank analogy allows Bank A and Bank B to bypass intermediaries and communicate directly, just as networks do in the digital realm. It enables them to provide faster and more cost-effective service to their customers, similar to how peering benefits ISPs by improving network performance and reducing costs.
here is another example:
Imagine a town where residents have their own gardens with different types of fruits and vegetables. Instead of everyone growing everything, they each trade. Each resident specializes in growing specific crops and directly exchanges their surplus produce with others in the network. This way, everyone benefits from a wider variety of fresh produce without having to grow everything themselves.
Similarly, in computer networks, different networks specialize in providing specific services or content. Through peering at Internet exchange points or peering agreements, these networks can exchange data and services directly. This allows users of one network to access content or services from another network without relying on intermediaries or external sources. Just as the crop trade enhances variety and accessibility of produce, peering in computer networks enhances content availability and reduces reliance on individual resources.
Benefits of Peering: Peering has several advantages for networks:
Faster Speed: Peering allows data to travel directly between networks, making it faster for users.
Money Savings: Peering helps networks save money because they don't have to pay other companies to send their data.
Better Reliability: Peering provides backup routes, making networks more reliable. If one route has a problem, there are other paths available.
Access to Content: Peering lets networks connect directly to popular websites and services, giving users faster access to content.
Peering often happens at special places called Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). These are locations where networks come together to connect and share data.
example:
Imagine a mall where each shop represents a different network participating in an in the mall. In this mall, there are interconnected pathways that not only lead to specific shops but also act as common routes for accessing other shops within the mall.
For instance, consider Shop A, Shop B, and Shop C in different areas of the mall. Customers can reach Shop A directly through one path, Shop B through another path, and Shop C through a separate path. However, there is also a central pathway that connects all three shops, allowing customers to conveniently access any of them without retracing their steps.
Similarly, in an Internet Exchange, each network has its distinct entry point, represented by a path to a specific shop. These paths allow networks to connect with each other directly. However, there are shared interconnecting routes within the mall, analogous to the central pathway. These interconnecting routes enable data from one network (e.g., Shop A) to flow to another network (e.g., Shop C) through a common path, without needing to go back to the external network.
By having these shared interconnecting routes, the networks in the Internet Exchange can establish direct connections with each other more efficiently. For example, a customer from Shop A can reach Shop C quickly by utilising the common interconnecting route, choosing the quickest path t and reducing unnecessary detours.
An Internet Exchange interconnects pathways facilitate seamless communication and efficient data exchange among networks, enhancing overall network performance and connectivity. Just as customers can navigate between shops using shared pathways, networks in an internet exchange can establish direct connections through interconnecting routes to exchange data effectively, resulting in faster and more reliable internet services.
Peering is an important part of how the Internet works. It helps networks connect, share data, and provide a faster and more reliable experience for users.
