What Is Remote Peering and How Does It Work?

Internet exchanges allow networks to exchange traffic directly. Remote peering gives an organisation access to an exchange without requiring it to install equipment and maintain a physical presence at every exchange location it wants to reach.

What is peering?

Peering is an arrangement in which networks exchange traffic directly. This may take place through a route server at an internet exchange or through a bilateral arrangement between two networks.

Direct exchange can create a more direct network path to content networks, cloud providers, access networks and other participants. The result depends on which networks participate, which routes they announce and the locations involved.

How remote peering works

A remote-peering provider connects the customer’s network to an internet exchange over a Layer 2 service or through a data-centre cross-connect. The customer can then establish suitable BGP sessions without deploying equipment at that exchange location.

Exascale remote peering connects organisations to major European metropolitan internet exchanges from locations across the UK. Access is available through data-centre cross-connects or direct Layer 2 connectivity to a building.

Why consider remote peering?

• Exchange access: Reach selected internet exchanges without maintaining hardware at every location.
• Direct paths: Exchange traffic directly with participating content, cloud and access networks.
• Operational simplicity: Use a managed connection between your location and the exchange.
• Network choice: Combine peering with other services as part of a broader routing strategy.

Remote peering and IP transit

Remote peering is not a replacement for every form of internet connectivity. Peering reaches participating networks and the routes they advertise. IP transit provides broader reachability to the wider internet.

Many network operators use transit and peering together. The correct design depends on traffic patterns, exchange participation, technical resources and resilience requirements.

Questions to ask before connecting

• Which internet exchanges do you need to reach?
• Where will the Layer 2 service or cross-connect terminate?
• Which route servers or bilateral peers will you use?
• What port capacity and traffic profile do you expect?
• How will you monitor routing, capacity and faults?

Explore Exascale remote peering

Exascale’s remote peering service can provide direct interconnection to up to 70% of the global internet routing table through bilateral arrangements and route servers. Our team can discuss the exchanges, data centres and locations you need to reach.