Linx make 2m [pounds sterling] upgrade to Internet infrastructure. (IT News).

The London Interact Exchange (LINX), which handles around 95 per cent of UK Internet traffic, is investing almost 2 [pounds sterling] million in further equipment upgrades as the volume of transmissions hits a record rune gigabits per second - three times the volume of June 2000. LINX, is a non-profit organization owned by its membership of 125 Internet Service Providers (ISPS) and Content Delivery Service Providers (CDSPs). It is effectively creating two independent networks using equipment supplied by two leading manufacturers. While constantly monitoring all new developments in Internet technology, LINX has rejected the idea of adopting Dense wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) - a system that increases the carrying capacity of optical fibre cables. "We examined DWDM, which works best as an inter-site connection, but concluded that it was not appropriate for our needs," explained Mike Hughes head of network architecture at LINX. "In addition, installing DWDM equipment at this time could actually slow up the ability to advance our Ethernet backbone to 10 gigabit Ethernet. Our switches and fibre network are ready for 10-gig now. Why would we want to add a potential obstacle?' From 1994 LINX has recognised the importance of building extra redundancy into its infrastructure to protect it from network damage. For this reason, it uses switching equipment from two manufacturers.

Extreme Networks, and Foundry; - which it houses in six different London-based tele-hotels. It is now building on this strategy by splitting its equipment into two discrete networks, each operating on switches from separate suppliers. Members who have a minimum of two network connections will therefore be assured of greater system security in the event of problems.

www.linx.net.