With the impending closure of the NSFNET Backbone, and the distfribution of
those funds to (academic) regional networks for the purpose of buying
backbone service from ISPs on the open market, NSF feared that universal
connectivity within the US higher education community might be lost - if all
ISPs concerned did not peer with one another.
The NSF never required ISPs peer with one another. The requirement
was to "connect" to the three primary NAPs, not exchange traffic. Universal
connectivity was an issue we are still dealing with.
Accordingly, NSF established the NAPs as open exchange points, and the funds
distributed to regional networks to buy backbone service had a string
attached: the regionals could only buy from ISPs who agreed to come to one
or more NAPs and exchange higher ed traffic. Thus the universal connectivity
of the community NSF was charged to serve was aassured.
The CIX router had a mandatory peering policy, assuring universal
connectivity among its members. For several years, the CIX router
served as the "router of last resort." But some providers didn't
like that policy.
Neither MAE-East, or the NAPs had "AUPs" covering traffic exchange.
Comments inline... -s
> With the impending closure of the NSFNET Backbone, and the distfribution
> of those funds to (academic) regional networks for the purpose of buying
> backbone service from ISPs on the open market, NSF feared that universal
> connectivity within the US higher education community might be lost - if
> all ISPs concerned did not peer with one another.
The NSF never required ISPs peer with one another. The requirement
was to "connect" to the three primary NAPs, not exchange traffic. Universal
connectivity was an issue we are still dealing with.
NSF placed the requirement on the regionals - not the NAPs nor the ISPs.
Universal connectivity WAS maintained - for that community.
> Accordingly, NSF established the NAPs as open exchange points, and the
> funds distributed to regional networks to buy backbone service had a
> string attached: the regionals could only buy from ISPs who agreed to
> come to one or more NAPs and exchange higher ed traffic. Thus the
> universal connectivity of the community NSF was charged to serve was
> aassured.
The CIX router had a mandatory peering policy, assuring universal
connectivity among its members. For several years, the CIX router
served as the "router of last resort." But some providers didn't
like that policy.
And still don't...
Neither MAE-East, or the NAPs had "AUPs" covering traffic exchange.
Quite right; the NAPs were AUP-free - taking advantage of a special
exemption granted by the US Congress the year before.