Over the past few months at the Internet Society, I’ve observed a concerning trend in several regions where I’ve been working: a growing number of Internet exchange points (IXPs) appear to be operating on autopilot—what I call “Zombie IXPs.”
But what exactly is a Zombie IXP, and how does one come to be?
The Zombie IXP Checklist
Many IXPs begin with enthusiasm and purpose. There’s a well-coordinated launch, funding is secured, the infrastructure goes live, and everyone (Internet service providers (ISPs), end users, and regulators) is satisfied. ISPs benefit from reduced international bandwidth usage, customers enjoy faster and more reliable access to content, and regulators can proudly report that the country has established an IXP.
However, once the initial excitement fades, some IXPs begin to stagnate. We can find out if an IXP is at risk of becoming a zombie by asking a few questions:
Is the IXP operating passively, i.e. with little to no strategic planning or ongoing investment?
Is anyone explicitly tasked with managing the IXP’s growth or operations?
Is there a long-term vision for expansion or a funding plan?
Does the IXP engage with regional organizations (such as LAC-IX in Latin America) that support best practices and technical development?
Does it have a peering coordinator dedicated to the implementation of new peering partners, keeping PeeringDB (a network database) up to date, and keeping up with industry trends?
Are responsibilities informally rotated among ISPs?
If you’re missing one or more of these items, the IXP may work for a time, but it’s a fragile arrangement. Over time, outdated hardware, underperforming connections, and a lack of oversight start to degrade performance. Ports may no longer support required bandwidth levels, and in response, some ISPs may start changing data routes to reduce traffic to your IXP, which kills local users’ experience online.
Zombie IXPs Can Kill Your Internet Experience
The effects of becoming a zombie diminish the IXP’s effectiveness, leading to a fragmented and less efficient Internet experience for users: all of a sudden, the local video channel you follow and usually watch without delay might begin to slow down. The image quality might decay, and now you see the pixelated face of someone who’s speaking in breaks while the video loads. And yet, when you watch the same channel at your friend’s house in another part of town, nothing has changed.
To make matters worse, the situation often goes unnoticed by policymakers. On paper, the country has a functioning IXP, but in reality, local content caching is minimal, latency is high, and users are dissatisfied.
So, how do we bring a Zombie IXP back to life?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are clear steps that can help. Adopting industry best practices, ensuring regular equipment upgrades, and designating responsible parties for technical and operational oversight are key. Ongoing community engagement and participation in regional IXP associations can also make a significant difference.
At the Internet Society, we’re committed to supporting vibrant, sustainable IXPs. If you suspect an IXP in your region may be in decline, we encourage you to reach out. We may be able to help by conducting an assessment, offering training or fellowships, or even assisting with grant opportunities.
Let’s work together to ensure IXPs continue to fulfill their promise of delivering better, faster, and more affordable Internet for all. Learn more about IXPs and how you can support them.
Image © ChayTee on Adobe Stock