There are many reasons why peering makes sense. From improving the user experience and gaining better performance to reducing costs, expanding reach and lowering latencies, the advantages of peering are obvious. Once you understand all the benefits of this solution, the next step is deciding WHERE to peer.

Choosing the right Internet Exchange (IX) can be daunting. It’s a long-term investment, so you want to make sure you have optionality — plus an ecosystem where you can grow. Check out some of the key considerations below.

#1. Location is Everything

A location that enables access to the greatest geographic footprint is ideal, because…”Omaha IX is located at the center point of U.S. online traffic and resides in the secure, interconnected edge data center, 1623 Farnam. Whether your network route takes you east, west, north or south, this strategic, central location is equidistant from each coast and the associated hubs for most major content providers.

In other words, with Omaha IX, you get the best of both worlds: A highly connected exchange and a dense ecosystem PLUS a world-class data center to support all of your IT infrastructure requirements.

#2. Ease of Deployment

It’s important to be mindful of how easy it is to expand, grow or scale up and down when needed. Here are some key questions to ask:

  • Does the IX support colocation?
  • Is there sufficient space, power and cooling onsite?
  • Is it easy to ship my equipment to the IX?
  • Who can install it for me if I can’t get to the site?
  • Is it simple for me to upgrade when needed?

This is where over 75,000 sq. ft. of data center space, 8MW of power and N+1 infrastructure at 1623 Farnam come in handy. By peering at Omaha IX, you also have access to a variety of colocation options including powered shells, build-to-suit, and turnkey colocation space.

This interconnected facility has 24/7/365 security and is fully compliant with industry-leading standards. Furthermore, to make it even easier for you, we offer Virtual and Remote Hands with operational support service for remote management, rack and stack installation. We also assist with troubleshooting and issue resolution for your colocated IT infrastructure. Our experienced team will help make sure you are up and running quickly and seamlessly.

#3. Peer to Get Connected

Connecting to an IX makes sense when you have the ability to exchange a lot of traffic, have access to the traffic you need, and traffic is delivered with as few hops as possible. Key considerations here are:

  • How many participants are there at the IX?
  • How many carriers are close by?
  • Is there access to dark fiber providers and other types of connectivity at the exchange?
  • Can they serve your current AND future networking needs?

With access to more than 50 carriers, service providers and cloud providers, Omaha IX has seen record traffic based on data being exchanged at peak traffic times. Peering status in the Omaha IX creates faster throughput and exchange of information among enterprises and traffic routes. It is also host to seven of the Top 13 IP transit providers in the world and continues to attract new carriers looking for a centralized point from which to reach across the U.S.

Omaha IX has a variety of long-haul, regional, and global carriers that provide multiple connectivity options, including dark fiber, Internet access, Ethernet, wavelengths, mobile backhaul, and diverse, low latency fiber routes throughout the United States and beyond. Check out our current Omaha IX participants HERE. You can search for the network you want to peer with, and if we don’t have it listed, please reach out to us.

#4. Cost Considerations

The massive amount of traffic that is being exchanged via peering relationships can be significant. However, even as traffic needs rise, peering remains a cost-effective option. With peering, transit costs can be avoided by removing the need for support from an upstream transit provider that would otherwise carry the traffic.

Supporting 1G to 100G connections, at Omaha IX, you can transport as much of your traffic over the exchange as you’d like — all for a low monthly cost.

#5. Street Cred

The credibility and longevity of the Internet Exchange matters. Having the financial backing and the robustness to keep attracting members to make the IX successful are important considerations. Think about:

  • Is it a brand new exchange?
  • Will it be here to stay?
  • Will it attract additional and valuable peering candidates?

Founded in 2014, Omaha IX was built on a high concentration of connectivity by both regional and global carriers and offers access to robust interconnection options. Omaha IX is also located near a hotbed of hyperscale, OTT, and content provider activity.

Here’s where the value of an IX really builds. Omaha IX is in close proximity to a Facebook hyperscale facility — and Google’s largest North American cloud node is just a few miles away. Google has made a strong commitment to this region, announcing its own new data center in nearby Papillon, Nebraska. 1623 Farnam is also officially the only low latency direct connection to Google Cloud in the central United States. If the world’s largest OTTs are investing heavily in this area, you can be assured Omaha IX and 1623 Farnam are a solid play with lots of growth and further options ahead.

All in all, Omaha IX is a bandwidth-rich, ISP-friendly exchange. Choosing the right exchange is part of a long-term investment, so make sure the IX you choose offers access to a lot of networks and an ecosystem in which you can scale and grow. With access to our experienced team of engineers and operations support, Omaha IX is overall a great, long-term value for participants.

For more information, download our Peering ebook here.

Contact Us today to discuss your requirements. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.