peeringpolicies

Peering policies are the rules and criteria that govern how networks establish and operate inter-domain connections to exchange traffic directly. They specify who is eligible to peer, under what terms, and the technical and commercial expectations that accompany those arrangements. Peering policies are most commonly associated with Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) but also apply to private interconnections between networks.

Policies address both public and private peering. Public peering typically occurs at IXPs where many networks connect, while private peering is arranged directly between two networks without a shared switch. Policies may be published by IXPs, by networks, or by bilateral agreement, and they can be formal documents or informal guidelines.

Key elements of peering policies include eligibility criteria (such as presence at specific IXPs, geographic reach, minimum traffic levels, or network reliability), technical requirements (BGP session configuration, route filtering, prefix length limits, maximum prefixes, and MTU considerations), and operational practices (testing, monitoring, and change management). Commercial terms are another dimension, with some peering arrangements being settlement-free, while others involve payments, traffic ratio commitments, or service-level expectations.

Governance and process typically involve a request and evaluation workflow, potential use of route servers, and ongoing compliance with the agreed terms. Peering policies influence routing behavior, cost structures, latency, and redundancy. Security and stability considerations include route validation (IRR or RPKI), careful prefix filtering to prevent mis-announcements, and ongoing monitoring for policy adherence.

Overall, peering policies aim to balance technical feasibility, commercial incentives, and network reach to improve performance and reduce reliance on transit services.