Optimizing IP Transit for Online VideoOptimizing IP Transit for Online Videoand “Donut Peering” Explainedand “Donut Peering” Explained

Grant Kirkwood – CTO, Mzima NetworksGrant Kirkwood – CTO, Mzima NetworksStreaming Media East – May 13, 2009Streaming Media East – May 13, 2009

The Internet was not designed for streaming!The Internet was not designed for streaming!

The Internet was not designed for streaming!The Internet was not designed for streaming!

The Internet was not designed for streaming!The Internet was not designed for streaming!

To make it work, communication had to be To make it work, communication had to be open between all the different networks. This open between all the different networks. This lead to some of the first Tier 1 networks.lead to some of the first Tier 1 networks.

What is a Tier 1 network?What is a Tier 1 network?

What is a Tier 1 network?What is a Tier 1 network?

What is a Tier 1 network?What is a Tier 1 network?

What is a Tier 1 network?What is a Tier 1 network?

Why do we still think of this as Why do we still think of this as the “backbone” of the Internet?the “backbone” of the Internet?

Each network on the Internet is represented by a unique Each network on the Internet is represented by a unique number. The quantity of networks connected to the Internet number. The quantity of networks connected to the Internet has exploded in recent years:has exploded in recent years:

*Source: CAIDA*Source: CAIDA

This is primarily due to the desire to improve performance by This is primarily due to the desire to improve performance by connecting to multiple providers.connecting to multiple providers.

This is primarily due to the desire to improve performance by This is primarily due to the desire to improve performance by connecting to multiple providers.connecting to multiple providers.

Network A

Network B

Even when connecting to multiple providers, getting data from Even when connecting to multiple providers, getting data from one network to another still relies on transiting multiple Tier 1 one network to another still relies on transiting multiple Tier 1 networks.networks.

Network A

Network B

Smart networks have discovered that bypassing the Tier 1 Smart networks have discovered that bypassing the Tier 1 networks by “peering” directly with other networks you can networks by “peering” directly with other networks you can save money or improve performance.save money or improve performance.

Network A

Network B

““Peering” refers to the free exchange of traffic between two Peering” refers to the free exchange of traffic between two different networks. Peering can be an effective strategy for different networks. Peering can be an effective strategy for reducing IP transit costs, as well as a way to improve reducing IP transit costs, as well as a way to improve performance—but generally not both.performance—but generally not both.

Mzima has taken the performance-based approach to Mzima has taken the performance-based approach to broadband peering to the next level.broadband peering to the next level.

Donut Peering!Donut Peering!

This gives Mzima an unequaled number of options to route performance-This gives Mzima an unequaled number of options to route performance-sensitive traffic.sensitive traffic.

Mzima peers directly with over 500 networks around the world.Mzima peers directly with over 500 networks around the world.

Mzima peers directly with over 500 broadband ISPs and Mzima peers directly with over 500 broadband ISPs and regional network providers around the world – in most cases regional network providers around the world – in most cases at multiple locations – a very large donut indeed!at multiple locations – a very large donut indeed!

Connectivity to multiple Tier 1s is important… this gives us Connectivity to multiple Tier 1s is important… this gives us options…options…

Bypassing them wherever possible is even more important: Bypassing them wherever possible is even more important: skip the old, poorly-suited “backbone” and take the content skip the old, poorly-suited “backbone” and take the content straight to the users!straight to the users!

Mzima is the first and only network that since it’s Mzima is the first and only network that since it’s very founding has used “donut peering” to improve very founding has used “donut peering” to improve performance, not save money.performance, not save money.

Request more informationRequest more informationabout Donut Peering and about Donut Peering and strategies for improvingstrategies for improving

Internet video performance Internet video performance by requesting a free white by requesting a free white

paper at:paper at:

www.mzima.net/donutwww.mzima.net/donut