Multicast
In 1998, AMS-IX first created a separate VLAN on the switching infrastructure to facilitate member experiments with inter-domain routing of IP Multicast traffic, wich is especially usefull in a broadcasting environment. Since this was set up as an experimental environment, AMS-IX made a number of ports available on the switching infrastructure, free of charge, to be used by the members participating in this test. As a result of the tests the routing protocols for the exchange of Multicast traffic have become pretty well-known and stable.
Therefore in June 2002 AMS-IX decided to introduce the Multicast VLAN service as a production environment. Since then, a number of AMS-IX members decided to continue their multicast traffic in the production environment. The tools available for the inter-domain exchange of Multicast traffic have proven to be mature enough to be used for production. Up to now the porst are still free of charge for existing members on the Unicast VLAN (it is not possible to just have a Multicast port).
AMS-IX Multicast VLAN service description
Members that want to participate in the Multicast LAN can either buy a separate dedicated port on this LAN or put (one or more of) their existing ports in Q-tagged (801.3q) mode to connect to both the ISP (Unicast) and the Multicast VLAN.
Features:
- See the ISP Unicast service description.
Technical service:
- See the ISP Unicast service description.
Responsibilities:
- See the ISP Unicast service description.
Costs:
- See the pricing page.
Applying for a multicast connection
If you are not an AMS-IX member yet you need to apply for AMS-IX membership first.
AMS-IX members can apply for a Multicast port by submitting an order form on the my.ams-ix.net member environment.