NCL-IX (Newcastle Internet Exchange)

NCL-IX Services

Stellium hosts the NCL-IX at its Newcastle data centre offering multiple peering opportunities to our clients.

The most effective way to minimise latency and cost is through peering – the direct exchange of IP traffic between two networks. You can peer by joining NCL-IX Internet Exchange today.

Internet Exchanges such as NCL-IX are nearly always located in carrier-neutral data centres like Stellium Data Centres UK, where network operators colocate in close proximity to the exchange’s data centre infrastructure. The NCL-IX allows network operators to securely peer with one another.

How to connect to NCL-IX Internet Exchange

You can connect with the NCL-IX Internet Exchange by colocating in Stellium’s Newcastle data centre and then requesting a connection to the Exchange.

NCL-IX is operated as a neutral not-for-profit IXP open to any network that can meet the technical requirements and physically reach one of our PoPs (Points of Presence).

NCL-IX currently has two resiliently connected points of presence:

Telco-Room North, Stellium 1, 9 Cobalt Park Way, Cobalt Business Park, Tyne & Wear, NE28 9EJ, UK.
Telco-Room South, Stellium 1, 9 Cobalt Park Way, Cobalt Business Park, Tyne & Wear, NE28 9EJ, UK.

A 1Gb and/or 10Gb connection into either or both PoPs above is free of charge until January 2023.

NCL-IX supports connections to the above PoPs at speeds of 1Gbps, 10Gbps and 100Gbps. The following connection types are supported:

1Gbps links via single-mode LX connections.
10Gbps links via single-mode LR connections.
100Gbps links via single-mode LR4 connections.
Longer distance optics (EX/ZX/ER/ZR) are also supported for an additional once-off fee.
Coloured optics for terminating DWDM wavelength can also be supported for an additional once-off fee.

Technical Requirements

NCL-IX operates a secure layer2 peering platform and conforms to all industry best practices including the use of IXP Manager and implementation of MANRS IXP requirements.

Any network connecting to NCL-IX Internet Exchange must meet the following technical requirements. New connections and changes to connected devices will be required to undergo a quarantine process so we can validate the following.

Frames forwarded to IXP ports shall have one of the following ether-types:
- 0x0800 – IPv4
- 0x0806 – ARP
- 0x86dd – IPv6

One MAC address per port – frames received from an attached member device shall all have the same source MAC address. We use L2 ACLs to enforce this requirement.
Frames received from an attached member device shall not be addressed to a multicast or broadcast MAC destination address except as follows:
- broadcast ARP packets
- multicast IPv6 Neighbour Solicitation packets

No link local protocols with the exception of link aggregation control protocols (LACP) such as IEEE 802.3ad.
Interfaces connected to IXP peering LAN ports shall only use IP addresses and netmasks assigned to them by the NCL-IX.
IPv6 addresses (link & global scope) shall be explicitly configured and not auto-configured.
IPv6 site-local addresses shall not be used.
Members must not use NCL-IX to exchange traffic between their own connections without permission.
Members must have a public AS number issued by an RIR and routable IP space.

Benefits

Cost

Negotiate IP transit costs with any of the carriers hosted at Stellium’s Newcastle Data Centre.

Avoid IP transit expenditure.

Reduced Risk

Increase resilience by using multiple network providers.

Achieve maximum security by colocating in Stellium’s state-of-the-art, secure Newcastle Data Centre.

Performance

Improve end-user experience by routing traffic more directly than your current network allows.

For further detailed information on the NCL-IX Internet Exchange including membership, pricing and connection please see: https://www.ncl-ix.uk/ or contact the NCL-IX team today at: info@ncl-ix.uk

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