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Its a good question... in the article it states that Guifi was able to get a "peering" connection. Internet service providers have to connect to each other som
by crispyambulance 10y ago
Its a good question... in the article it states that Guifi was able to get a "peering" connection.
Internet service providers have to connect to each other somehow and this is done at IXP (internet exchange points: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_exchange_point https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_exchange_point )-- basically a huge building where separate providers can come together and exchange traffic.
I imagine that a peering connection in such a facility requires a heroic amount of maneuvering around 800 lb gorilla companies, but it certainly is possible if one has enough traffic and money.
- calgoo 10y agoThe Guifi network has a connection to the local internet exchange CATNIX. That connection is paid for by the association exo.cat, which is supported by members paying a bi-yearly fee. Edit: grammar
- devicenull 10y agoPeering doesn't get you to the internet at large though, it just gets you to the people connected to the particular exchange (and they're not usually willing to relay your traffic to other networks)
- crispyambulance 10y agoNow I am really mixed up. How else would an independent ISP get to "the internet at large"? Isn't that what a peering agreement is all about at an IXP?
- devicenull 10y agoThey'd have to buy transit from a provider. Peering is connectivity between two ISPs. Transit is connectivity between you and the rest of the internet.
- crispyambulance 10y agoThere are perhaps missing details, but Guifi seems to have "become" a provider by having "enough" customers. They got a peering connection. There's a threshold beyond which peering make more sense than transit... (http://packetpushers.net/transit-vs-peering-makes-sense/ http://packetpushers.net/transit-vs-peering-makes-sense/).