Having recently completed its network refresh to 100 Gps port capabilities, the Malaysia Internet Exchange (MyIX) is now in the process of opening two new nodes for more networks to join its internet exchange.
According to MyIX chairman Chiew Kok Hin, these new nodes serve to extend MyIX’s reach while increasing its presence points throughout the country.
Currently, MyIX operates two additional nodes which are located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor and Kuching, Sarawak to complement the main nodes located at the AIMS Data Centre and CSF Building in Cyberjaya, Selangor.
These two new nodes are set to be opened in two locations in Cyberjaya next month, and in April, respectively. These will be operated in partnership with IPSERVERONE SOLUTIONS SDN BHD and VADS BHD.
These nodes are essentially access switches located at various alternative sites; thereby enabling members and peering partners to connect to internet service providers (ISPs), other members and content hosted by MyIX.
Chiew explained that, since ISPs and content distribution networks (CDNs) are spread across various data centres, these nodes serve to provide additional exchange points for ISPs and CDNs to better connect with one another, especially useful when connecting from remote locations.
“The nodes also ensure improved latency for interconnectivity with other networks,” he added. “They would be instrumental in further enhancing the stability and performance of internet connections, lowering connection costs while minimising traffic ‘bottlenecks’.”
MyIX is an initiative under the Malaysian Communications Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Today, MyIX is the country’s only non-profit national internet exchange body operated by industry.
“Due to Malaysia’s fast growing digital economy, there is now greater demand for faster and more reliable internet traffic performance,” said Chiew.
And since MyIX facilitates to keep the domestic internet traffic within Malaysia, data always travels through the most optimised route to the end user. This results in improved broadband service quality for ISPs, which translates into a better experience for end users when they access local content.
“Data also travels at an optimised distance with fewer ‘hops’ to reach the intended recipient through direct peering with MyIX. This poses a significant cost benefit for smaller ISPs, which can reduce their dependency on costly international bandwidth links,” explained Chiew.
Chiew is also encouraging international ISPs and CDNs to invest further in Malaysia.
“By having foreign ISPs and CDNs setting their regional networks here, it will reduce the network charges of consuming international content,” he concluded.