The London Internet Exchange ("LINX") is an Internet Exchange Point situated in London. It was founded in 1994 by a group of Internet Service Providers. LINX is a founder member of EURO-IX, a Europe-wide alliance of Internet Exchanges. It is currently the 3rd largest neutral IXP in Europe in terms of total traffic (The first currently is AMS-IX in Amsterdam).

LINX is a not-for-profit organisation (Company Limited by Guarantee) essentially this means that Internet Service Providers join LINX as members, sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Members collectively "own" the company, and all members have a single vote at AGMs and EGMs in matters relating to finances, constitution, and what activities LINX may carry out. Members also episodically elect the LINX Non-Executive board of directors. Members meet at regular LINX Meetings to discuss technical, corporate governance and regulatory matters. LINX has a mandate not to actively compete with its members.

LINX prides itself in the fact that almost half of the total Internet routing table is available by peering at LINX.

Technology

LINX operates two physically separate networks or switching platforms on different architectures using equipment from different manufacturers (Extreme Networks and Foundry Networks). These networks are deployed over seven locations, each connected by multiple 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections over fibre networks.

The seven locations are:

Telehouse North

Telehouse East

TeleCityRedbus Harbour Exchange (8/9 - ex TeleCity)

TeleCityRedbus Millharbour

TeleCityRedbus Harbour Exchange (6/7 - ex Redbus)

TeleCityRedbus Sovereign House

TeleCityRedbus Meridian Gate (Memaco House)

Connection is also possible from remote locations via the LINX From Anywhere scheme. This allows connection to the Exchange via a range of layer 2 service/MPLS carriers.

Redundancy of the network is managed using rapid-failover protection mechanisms such as Foundry Metro Ring Protocol (MRP) and Extreme Ethernet Automatic Protection System (EAPS). These restore connectivity within tenths of a second in the event of the loss of a network segment.

In addition to the main peering infrastructure, LINX provides managed private interconnections (via Single Mode Fibre) between LINX members, and works with a number of fibre carriers to give rapid connection between LINX members for private circuits. These PI circuits may be used for any purpose but are mainly intended for Private Peering arrangements between members. Private Peering is sometimes more appropriate for managing large flows of traffic between ISPs and/or Content Providers.

Regulatory

LINX provides its members with an important Regulatory and Public Affairs service, and liaises where appropriate with many third parties including the Internet Watch Foundation, OFCOM, The Department of Trade and Industry, the Information Commissioner, and other government departments in matters such as Content Regulation, Telecoms Regulation, Privacy and Data Protection, E-mail spam, On-Line Fraud/Phishing, Law Enforcement, Counter-Terrorism, and other Regulatory matters in the UK and Europe affecting the Internet Industry.

The regulatory function of LINX is mainly to represent the member ISPs (as a whole) to these third parties, respond to consultations, and report to and consult with the LINX members regarding any developments that may affect their business or operations (For example when new laws (Bills) are tabled.)

LINX also produce Best Current Practice (BCP) documents for LINX members. These BCPs are developed in consultation with LINX members and other experts. Examples include a Best Current Practice for dealing with E-Mail spam and web sites that are linked to in spam messages. Members can use these BCPs when developing their own policies. (However they are not obliged to do so.)

In August 2004, LINX announced its BCP to members to take action against spammer-run websites, as well as websites advertised through spam. The plan also includes a crackdown on sites selling spammer tools, such as email address lists.

LINX can also provide a dispute resolution service between members where appropriate (Although in practice this has never been used.)

Other activities

LINX also carries on a number of Non-Core activities (NCAPs) from time to time, for example the LINX Accredited Internet Technician (LAIT) training programme.

Other services provided include a time service using atomic clocks, as well as hosting for other "Good of the Internet" services including various Internet statistics projects, numerous secondary name servers for various ccTLD domains, and instances of the K and I root nameservers.