CNX offers Private Network Interconnection (PNI) services across its network, providing flexible solutions for connecting your installations between different data centers, linking with transit providers, establishing private peering links with CDNs, or terminating into the wider metro network. CNX can facilitate these connections efficiently and seamlessly.
Good news: As long as no additional cables or ports are required, this service is free for CNX members!
What is a Private Network Interconnect?
A Private Network Interconnect (PNI) enables direct traffic exchange between two networks over a dedicated connection on the CNX infrastructure. This can be implemented in the following ways:
- Dedicated Port: A port reserved solely for the PNI.
- Existing Port with 802.1Q Tagging: A virtual connection sharing a port, using VLAN tagging to isolate traffic.
- Physical Cross-Connection: A direct fiber-optic connection between two parties.
For virtual PNI connections, both parties must be CNX-connected networks. A port with 802.1Q tagging can participate in multiple PNIs, while physical PNIs are available to any two parties co-locating at CNX facilities.
PNI Types and Configurations
- CNX assigns a private VLAN for the connection.
- Both ports in the PNI are configured with the same VLAN by CNX.
- CNX can provide cross-connections from the Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) to equipment hosted at CNX within the same location.
- Cross-connections can also be established between hosted equipment within the same location.
Technical Service Details
- CNX does not assign IP addresses in the PNI LANs. IP address management is the responsibility of the participating parties.
- Customers can connect to a PNI using a dedicated port or by utilizing an existing port with a chosen 802.1Q tag.
- Multiple MAC addresses are not allowed on the port; traffic from PNI LANs should originate from the same MAC address.
Both parties involved in a PNI can contact the CNX Network Operations Center (NOC) for support in case of any issues.