In the world of Internet Exchange Points, network security and stability are essential to ensure a reliable and high-performing ecosystem. Each new participant connecting to an IXP must comply with precise operational technical rules to avoid misconfigurations or behaviors that could compromise the platform’s functioning. But how can we ensure everything is in order before granting access to the production network?
In IXPs, it is essential to verify that each new member connects with an adequate configuration that respects security policies and does not introduce anomalies in the traffic. For this reason, a common practice is the use of a quarantine VLAN, a separate domain where new members can be tested before participating in the peering LAN. In this protected space, it is possible to analyze traffic, verify configuration compliance, and identify any problems before they can impact other participants.
To further improve this process and make it more effective, we have developed, in collaboration with Roma Tre University, an innovative solution: the Namex Digital Twin. Created with Kathará, it is a virtual environment that faithfully reproduces the Namex infrastructure and allows participants to test their configurations completely autonomously. This tool enables the simulation of real network operation, offering the possibility to identify and correct any errors even before interacting with the production peering platform.
Thanks to an intuitive interface and automated processes, the Digital Twin not only simplifies the onboarding process for new members but also ensures a superior level of security for the entire network. Access to such an advanced test environment allows participants to experiment with configurations, optimize their settings, and ensure everything works perfectly before starting traffic exchange with other operators. With a simple click, new members can verify the compliance of their configurations.
The introduction of the Digital Twin represents an important step forward in managing Namex’s security. Having the ability to perform thorough tests in a virtual environment reduces the risk of errors, prevents potential service disruptions, and helps maintain high operational standards for the network. A reliable and secure system is essential to ensure that each new participant can connect without difficulty, respecting Namex’s rules and contributing to the stability of the entire internet ecosystem.
For more details, an in-depth analysis is available on RIPE Labs: https://labs.ripe.net/author/marta-burocchi/building-a-secure-test-environment-for-an-ixp/
— By Marta Burocchi, Namex Network and Systems Engineer
