What is an Exchange Point?

• Network Access Points (NAPs) established at end of NSFnet

  • original “exchange points”

• Major providers connect their networks and exchange traffic

• High-speed network or switch

• Simple concept - anyplace where providers come together to exchange traffic

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- NAP viewed as a layer 2 infrastructure to which ISPs attach via routers for traffic exchange.

- NSFnet information available at http://www.merit.edu/nsfnet/internet.html