An IXP is a network through which operators connect their backbones to each other, realizing part of the meshing of the Internet. Since the Internet is given by the composition of many networks, it is necessary that each portion be connected to the others..

The connection between them can be done with pinpoint circuits or through an IXP that allows, with a single circuit, to realize the interconnection of a network with, potentially, all the others already present on the IXP.

Peering BGP

NAMEX

MIX

TIX

TOPIX

NAMEX

MIX

TIX

TOPIX

In addition, connections are made to ISPs through links to the Internet Exchange of Milan MIX and Rome NaMeX, for an aggregate of 200 Gbit/sec, and links to the Internet Exchange of Turin TOP-IX, Florence TIX and Padua VSIX, for an aggregate of 12 Gbit/sec.

With some particularly important networks and with the Regional Community Networks, direct private peering is active.

• International Peering - Global Internet
• Telia 20 Gbps
• Cogent 10 Gbps

• Links with National Internet Exchanges
• MIX Milano 100 Gbps
• NAMEX Roma 100 Gbps
• TOP-IX Torino 10 Gbps
• TIX Firenze 1 Gbps
• VSIX Padova 1 Gbps

• Direct links
• Google 40 Gbps

• Peering
• Elenco dei peering presso i punti di interscambio IXP

The GARR network interconnects with other networks at the local, national and international level, to facilitate data exchange between the research and education community and its partners. In addition to the usual connections with international research and education networks, it is worth mentioning several peerings with major commercial networks and with the networks managed by local public administrations such as Regions and Municipalities.

Peerings are currently active with the Telecommunication Networks of:

• Peering with the Regional Telematic Networks of:
• Regione Basilicata
• Regione Emilia Romagna
• Regione Marche
• Regione Toscana
• Regione Piemonte
• Regione Veneto

In particular, thanks to collaborations with the Metropolitan and Regional Area Networks, some dating back to the end of the nineties (with the GARR-B MAN project), it is possible to enhance cost-effectiveness and coverage for the research and education users located in a given geographical area.

To date, collaborations with MANs and RANs include:

• he networks of the universities of Cassino, Genova, Insubria, Milan, and Pisa;
• Lepida, the Regional Area Network of Emilia-Romagna;
• Lightnet, the Metropolitan Area Network of the University and research centres in Trieste;
• UniFInet, the MAN co-managed by the Municipality and University of Florence;
• Venis, Venis, the MAN of the Municipality of Venice;