Connecting to PIT-IX

Currently, PIT-IX works on a member donation and cost recovery basis using one-time port fees. There are no yearly or monthly fees associated with connecting to the exchange.

The joining member will be responsible for getting a connection and cross-connect to PIT-IX or should speak with PIT-IX about all-inclusive assistance. Data centers that house PIT-IX peering points are also willing to assist in connecting members.

First 1/10G Port
$0One-Time
  • First port is FREE.
  • Optics Exchange or Member Supplied
  • Route Servers Available
  • Metrics Included
  • Cross-Connect Not included
Contact PIT-IX
1/10G Port
$100 / $1500One-Time
  • Additional 1G ports are $100/NRC.
  • Additional 10G are $1,500/NRC.
  • Optics Exchange or Member Supplied
  • Route Servers Available
  • Metrics Included
  • Cross-Connect Not included
Contact PIT-IX
40G/100G Port
$7,500One-Time
  • Optics Exchange or Member Supplied
  • Support for either 40G or 100G
  • Route Servers Available
  • Metrics Included
  • Cross-Connect Not included
Contact PIT-IX

Service Locations

The following locations are currently available for PIT-IX connections.
DataBank PIT1 - Nova Place Pittsburgh

  • Arista IXP Hardware
  • Cross-Connects Available
  • Colocation Available
  • On-net with many existing fiber providers.

EdgeConneX Pittsburgh - Coming Soon

  • Arista IXP Hardware
  • Cross-Connects Available
  • Colocation Available
  • On-net with many existing fiber providers.

DataBank PIT2 - Coming Soon

  • Arista IXP Hardware
  • Cross-Connects Available
  • Colocation Available
  • On-net with many existing fiber providers.

TeraSwitch PIT1 - Nova Place Pittsburgh

  • Arista IXP Hardware
  • Colocation Available
  • Cross-Connects Available
  • On-net with many existing fiber providers.

Crown Castle Pittsburgh

  • Arista IXP Hardware
  • Cross-Connects Available
  • On-net with many existing fiber providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about joining PIT-IX. for more information or clarification, please contact [email protected]

Q: What are the requirements of joining PIT-IX?

A: Pittsburgh Internet Exchange is very open to members. Any organization that wishes to join will not be denied. That said, there are some technical requirements that the organization must meet to be about to function on the exchange.

  1. Your organization must have an AS number for BGP routing. Typically this is provided by ARIN if you are based in North America.

  2. Your are required to have an Internet transit link from a ISP – this is because PIT-IX is not a connection to the entire Internet (a “default route”), but instead an interconnection between PIT-IX members.

  3. You must connect to the exchange using only a BGP capable router, and register that router’s MAC address with the PIT-IX operations team so it may be allowed to connect.

Q: What connection types and speeds are available?

A: You can connect via single-mode fiber. Available speeds are 1GbE, 10GbE, 40GbE, 100GbE, and port-channel multiples of each. LACP is supported. You can also use separate routers on each connection you have to PIT-IX.

The exchange only connects with Single-Mode optics (other than a few exceptions). It’s highly appreciated if the connecting member can provide the optics. PIT-IX recommends optic and fiber supplies from FS.com. PIT-IX will typically connect to Arista Switches at core peering locations.

Q: Does PIT-IX offer route servers for BGP peering?

A: Yes! Although not mandatory, PIT-IX provides and highly recommends all members connect to the redundant route servers. This allows a simple configuration for all members to quickly connect to every open-peering member of the exchange.

  • PIT-IX’s route servers are highly secure and offer a safe method of peering with exchange members. Member route announcements are checked and filtered by the route servers to be valid, legitimate, and block unexpected route leaks.

Q: Which other IX(s) does PIT-IX model it's operations after?

A: PIT-IX operates similarly to the Seattle Internet Exchange (SIX). Chris Caputo of SIX contributed directly to assisting us on initial planning and setup of PIT-IX.

Additionally we use IXP-Manager which is a project of INEX of Ireland. IXP Manager handles all the back-end operations of managing ports, configurations, and members and their users.

Q: Which IX is your rival?

A: PhillyIX. Nice people, but they’re on the wrong side of the state… Go Pens.