NCL-IX (Newcastle Internet Exchange)

How to connect to NCL-IX Internet Exchange

You can connect with the NCL-IX Internet Exchange by colocating in Stellium’s Newcastle data centre and then requesting a connection to the Exchange.

NCL-IX is operated as a neutral not-for-profit IXP open to any network that can meet the technical requirements and physically reach one of our PoPs (Points of Presence).

NCL-IX currently has two resiliently connected points of presence:

• Telco-Room North, Stellium 1, 9 Cobalt Park Way, Cobalt Business Park, Tyne & Wear, NE28 9EJ, UK.
• Telco-Room South, Stellium 1, 9 Cobalt Park Way, Cobalt Business Park, Tyne & Wear, NE28 9EJ, UK.

A 1Gb and/or 10Gb connection into either or both PoPs above is free of charge until January 2023.

NCL-IX supports connections to the above PoPs at speeds of 1Gbps, 10Gbps and 100Gbps. The following connection types are supported:

• 1Gbps links via single-mode LX connections.
• 10Gbps links via single-mode LR connections.
• 100Gbps links via single-mode LR4 connections.
• Longer distance optics (EX/ZX/ER/ZR) are also supported for an additional once-off fee.
• Coloured optics for terminating DWDM wavelength can also be supported for an additional once-off fee.

Technical Requirements

NCL-IX operates a secure layer2 peering platform and conforms to all industry best practices including the use of IXP Manager and implementation of MANRS IXP requirements.

Any network connecting to NCL-IX Internet Exchange must meet the following technical requirements. New connections and changes to connected devices will be required to undergo a quarantine process so we can validate the following.

• Frames forwarded to IXP ports shall have one of the following ether-types:
  • 0x0800 – IPv4
  • 0x0806 – ARP
  • 0x86dd – IPv6

• One MAC address per port – frames received from an attached member device shall all have the same source MAC address. We use L2 ACLs to enforce this requirement.
• Frames received from an attached member device shall not be addressed to a multicast or broadcast MAC destination address except as follows:
  • broadcast ARP packets
  • multicast IPv6 Neighbour Solicitation packets

• No link local protocols with the exception of link aggregation control protocols (LACP) such as IEEE 802.3ad.
• Interfaces connected to IXP peering LAN ports shall only use IP addresses and netmasks assigned to them by the NCL-IX.
• IPv6 addresses (link & global scope) shall be explicitly configured and not auto-configured.
• IPv6 site-local addresses shall not be used.
• Members must not use NCL-IX to exchange traffic between their own connections without permission.
• Members must have a public AS number issued by an RIR and routable IP space.