Palo Alto, Calif.-based PAIX.net Inc., subsidiary of Metromedia Fiber Network, Wednesday showed that the trying times ISPs are currently experiencing will not slow its agressive build-out of Network Access Points (NAPs). The firm said Wednesday it would open two new Internet exchanges in Boston and Los Angeles in early third quarter 2001.
PAIX.net is a neutral Internet exchange which utilizes geographically dispersed facilities to provide regional and national carrier-independent data switching, which in turn can lead to faster network performance because packets travel directly between the ISPs rather than using the standard Internet backbone.
PAIX describes itself as neutral because it is the first commercial Internet peering facility not owned by an ISP or telco. The company said it does not get involved in its customers’ business arrangements, except to provide connections between participants and between telecommunications providers and participants. While its parent, MFN, is a strong presence in the dark fiber arena, it operates as a separate entity with its own management.
The company’s original exchange was built in Palo Alto in 1996. In 2000, the company opened facilities in Vienna, Va.; Seattle; New York City; Dallas and Atlanta.
“We are excited to be opening additional facilities throughout the United States to bring the benefits of neutral peering to more ISPs,” said Paul Vixie, president of PAIX.net. “The more peering points we have around the world, the stronger and more efficient the infrastructure of the Internet becomes. By providing a completely neutral marketplace for ISPs and communications providers, we have created the optimum environment for Internet peering to thrive and grow.”
Indeed, ISPs are often pleased when PAIX.net sets up shop in their backyards. Microsoft’s MSN was happy to see the Seattle facility open.
“The Seattle region is obviously very important to us and we are pleased to have access to a PAIX facility in that area,” said Mike Myers, director of Global Networking for MSN.
