Backbone or provider networks are also called

The public Internet is a complex mesh of almost one hundred thousand different, but ‘open’ networks - linked together with an almost limitless inventory of network hardware and millions of kilometers of fiber-optic cable. In technical terms, these are known as Autonomous Systems (AS). An AS is essentially a unique collection of IP addresses/address blocks and network hardware within a common administrative domain. Autonomous Systems communicate route information and steer traffic to each other using a protocol known as the Border Gateway Protocol, or BGP.

Internet backbone definition 

The Internet backbone can be simply defined as the core of the Internet. Here, the largest and fastest networks are linked together with fiber-optic connections and high-performance routers. Internet networks are primarily owned and operated by commercial, educational, government or military entities. Collectively, they facilitate a stable foundation for the Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content and cloud providers who provide Internet access or online content, applications and services to end-users and businesses.

Tier 1 networks

The largest providers are known as Tier 1 networks. Positioned at the top of the Internet ecosystem, these networks are sufficiently comprehensive that they don’t purchase IP Transit from anyone else. Tier 1 networks exchange Internet backbone traffic on the basis of privately negotiated interconnection agreements, usually on the principle of settlement-free IP peering. In general, networks lower down in the hierarchy pay for upstream IP Transit and networks of similar size and merit peer with each other.  Arelion (AS1299) is one of the largest and best connected global Tier 1 providers today. As a Tier 1 network owner we can reach every other network on the Internet solely via settlement-free interconnection. Our AS1299 is currently ranked #1 and our IP customers account for nearly 65% of all Internet routes. Whether you're a startup or Fortune 500, our network is the backbone of your business - connecting you directly to everything and everyone that matters. 

Who owns and controls the Internet?

The Internet is massive and immense, so who is its owner? The answer is no one, i.e., there is no organization, no company nor person that owns the complete Internet. Even control of the Internet is not regulated on a common level, though some governments have been trying to introduce a more controlled Internet for their specific location, but on the global level there is no organized control.  

The Internet Backbone can be defined as “the principal data routes between large, strategically interconnected computer networks and core routers of the internet”. But what does that mean for those of us who use them on a day-to-day basis?

When you connect to the internet from your home or office, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Mobile Network Operator (MNO) connects you to the thousands of services, sites, and sources of online content via the servers and computers that house them, building a network. As these connections are made, each of our networks connects to one another, eventually connecting us to the entire internet. This is what the internet is made up of, tens of thousands of networks that we call Autonomous Systems.

Essentially our global Internet Backbone connects local networks, Autonomous Systems, across countries, across oceans, and across the world. It is the linking of the largest and fastest networks with fiber optic connections and high-performance routers.

It is integral to not only the smooth running of the internet but its whole existence. And as the internet continues to expand, with billions of websites, three billion people, and 50 billion things all connected to it at any one time, these data routes, hosted by commercial, government, academic, and other high-capacity network centers, need to maintain their integrity, reliability, and authentication. On top of that, they also require a high level of redundancy, ensuring data is routed and re-routed for load balancing and congestion avoidance, ensuring data always moves quickly.

The Internet Backbone is made up of providers. The biggest global providers, known as Tier 1 providers, have networks that span the globe, without needing the use of transit agreements with any other providers, this means all their exchange of data is effectively free for traffic in both directions. An example of one of these is the US-based telecommunications company, CenturyLink. On the other hand, Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers might own some of their own networks but must pay to transmit data on other networks. These Internet Backbone providers in turn sell their services to facilitate a stable foundation to Internet Service Providers, which although may also operate their own smaller backbone, need the stability of the Internet Backbone to ensure redundancy for their users.

Integral to backbone operations are Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), physical locations through which internet infrastructure companies connect to exchange traffic, effectively producing bandwidth. These IXPs can be found across the globe. Each Internet Backbone is also dependent on routers powerful enough to manage the data traffic it carries. These backbone routers need to be robust enough to direct data to other routers to ensure it reaches its destination, sometimes at the opposite end of the world.

And, as important as all the technology involved to make up Internet Backbones and the internet as a whole, is the design and implementation of each network. It is a common misconception that the internet just runs itself, but it takes far more brainpower from experts who are still learning the intricacies of this global network to ensure it continues to run efficiently as it continues to expand.

What makes a good Internet Backbone?

We all know internet performance can vary significantly. So, what is important to consider when comparing Internet Backbones?

Reach: A larger network footprint generally means greater autonomy over resources and therefore its quality

Scalability: Backbones built on their own infrastructure will generally be able to facilitate increased capacity more quickly and efficiently

Proximity: What Tier a backbone resides in might dictate how well it is connected to the rest of the internet

Connectivity: How does a backbone connect to critical networks? An ecosystem that is well managed with private peering connections with other backbones will generally offer better connectivity.

What is the backbone of a network called?

What is a backbone provider?

Is also called as backbone topology?

What is a backbone in relation to networking?