How It Works

Connecting Punjab, the smarter way.

When two users in Punjab share a file, watch a video, or message each other, their data usually leaves the state, travels to Delhi or Mumbai, and then returns. That detour creates latency, wastes bandwidth, and raises costs.

The Punjab Internet Exchange (LIX) keeps Punjab's data inside Punjab. ISPs, data centers, and content networks plug into one neutral switch, so local traffic never has to leave the state.

What is an Internet Exchange?

An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is the meeting place where separate networks connect directly. Instead of hauling packets through expensive metro links, each member connects to a shared switch inside the exchange and establishes BGP sessions to trade traffic immediately.

Imagine every city trying to build its own highway to Delhi. LIX is the local roundabout where all of Punjab's networks meet: faster, cheaper, and closer to home.

Step by step

How the Ludhiana Internet Exchange operates.

  • Step 1. Local ISPs connect

    Each provider brings a fiber link to the LIX data center and connects to a high-speed 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps switch port.

  • Step 2. Peering sessions are established

    Networks announce their IP prefixes using BGP and agree to exchange local traffic directly, without intermediaries.

  • Step 3. Traffic flows locally

    A user in Ludhiana reaching a site in Jalandhar now travels through LIX instead of routing to Delhi first.

  • Step 4. CDNs deploy cache nodes

    As traffic grows, global content providers such as Google, Meta, Cloudflare, Netflix, and Akamai install servers at LIX.

  • Step 5. Everyone benefits

    ISPs cut upstream costs, users gain lower latency, and Punjab builds digital self-reliance.

The technical core

Infrastructure that powers LIX.

Component Description
Core switch fabric Layer 2 Ethernet switch connecting all members at 1G or 10G ports.
Route servers Shared BGP servers simplify multilateral peering between networks.
Dual power and uplink UPS plus redundant fiber paths to ensure uptime and protection.
IPv4 and IPv6 peering LAN Shared subnets (for example 103.x.x.x/24 and 2401:xxxx::/48) for BGP sessions.
Monitoring and security Real-time analytics via LibreNMS or Grafana plus secure NOC operations.

All members operate on equal terms. LIX follows a neutral, transparent, community-first policy managed by CCERT.

Before and after

What changes once a network joins LIX.

Before LIX After LIX
Local data travels via Delhi or Mumbai. Local data stays within Punjab.
30 to 50 ms latency. 1 to 2 ms latency.
INR 300 to 500 per Mbps transit cost. INR 4,000 per month flat IXP fee.
Dependency on metro hubs. Local resilience and failover.
Weak CDN presence. Google, Cloudflare, Meta and others host locally.

Network topology

A simplified view of the exchange fabric.

        +---------------------------+
        |      Ludhiana IXP (LIX)   |
        |  Neutral Switch + Route   |
        |          Servers          |
        +------------+--------------+
                     |
   +-----------------+-----------------+
   |                 |                 |
 [Airtel ISP]   [BSNL ISP]       [Fastway ISP]
   |                 |                 |
   +-------> Local Traffic via LIX <----+
                     |
              [Google / CDN Node]

Why it matters

Impact across providers, people, and Punjab.

For ISPs

  • Reduces 40 to 70 percent of upstream bandwidth usage.
  • Lowers cost, improves quality, and wins new subscribers.

For users

  • Faster streaming, gaming, and downloads.
  • More stable connections and lower ping.

For Punjab

  • Builds digital self-reliance and encourages local hosting.
  • Keeps data and economic value within the state.

Looking ahead

A statewide exchange fabric.

As membership grows, regional nodes in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Jalandhar will interconnect to form the Punjab Internet Fabric. That mesh will make Punjab one of India's fastest and most self-reliant digital regions.

Get connected

Join the exchange and keep Punjab's internet local.

ISPs, data centers, universities, and technology institutions are invited to collaborate with CCERT. Together we can keep traffic, value, and opportunity inside Punjab.

Join the Exchange