Singapore Open eXchange (SOX) is a public/neutral Internet eXchange Point (IXP) hosted by National University of Singapore (NUS). SOX differs from other IXPs in Singapore as it operates at OSI layer 2 and does not provide any transit traffic.

SOX Architecture

Singapore Open eXchange (SOX) is a distributed Internet Exchange Point (IXP) spread over two different physical locations in Singapore.

Further expansion to a 3rd facility is in an advanced-stage, and should be announced Q4 2007.

SOX Nodes

The SOX peering fabric in currently available in two locations in Singapore.

• The Core Node is in National University of Singapore (NUS)
• The first Extension Node is co-located in Global Switch Singapore

SOX Inter-nodes capacity

NUS and Global Switch are interconnected through a telco Gigabit Ethernet connection provisioned by NUS.

Currently, both intra-site and inter-site peering is available.

SOX Hardware

SOX currently uses Cisco 6509s and Cisco 3750s switches to interconnect peers.

Our motivation behind SOX:

Improving routing efficiency and promoting Internet Growth

Efficient routing will minimize network hops hence enhancing usage and encourage the growth of IP networks in Singapore.

Localizing local traffic

Singapore traffic has been known to be routed overseas and back before reaching it's destination. Peering locally over an IXP helps to ensure that local traffic stays local.

Lowering Cost

IXPs allows network providers to establish bi-lateral or multi-lateral peering agreements to facilitiate free-flow of traffic between peers at IXPs. This translates to cost saving for network providers as international and local traffic can now be separated.

Neutral effort

To attract good networks to an exchange point depends much on the neutrality of the exchange. SOX will be a neutral exchange, not owned or affiliated with any commercial service providers.

Industry/Community effort

The exchange efficiently make use of local traffic hence benefitting industries and its users as a whole.

Landing point for foreign IP networks

The lack of a Layer 2 exchange point is seen as a negative factor for foreign IP networks considering operating in Singapore. This exchange encourages foreign network participation.