Glossary
IXP
Internet Exchange Point — physical infrastructure that lets different networks exchange internet traffic locally, classified as critical infrastructure under NIS 2.
An IXP (Internet Exchange Point) is a physical infrastructure that lets different internet service providers (ISPs), content networks and operators exchange internet traffic locally without an intermediary. Their protection is considered highly critical to guarantee the resilience and speed of a country's telecommunications.
Role of IXPs in internet architecture
Without IXPs, traffic between two French ISPs would have to transit through foreign exchange points, increasing latency, costs and points of failure. IXPs enable:
- Direct local exchange of traffic between operators (peering).
- Reduced costs for international transit.
- Improved resilience: if an international link goes down, domestic traffic keeps working.
Examples in France and Europe
- France-IX (Paris) — the leading French IXP.
- DE-CIX (Frankfurt) — the world's largest IXP by traffic volume.
- AMS-IX (Amsterdam) — one of Europe's oldest and most important.
Position under NIS 2
IXP operators fall under Annex I of NIS 2 (digital infrastructure, a highly critical sector). A cyberattack or major outage at an IXP can significantly degrade internet connectivity for an entire region.