Where Should My Web Host Be ?
Most of the UK Internet Providers exchange traffic at one of several
Network Access Points in the UK. These are independent places where ISPs
can exchange uk bound traffic to save it going from the UK, to the US
and back. Some ISPs also have "private peering" - where by they connect
their networks to each other directly, to avoid overloading the NAPs.
The main NAP in the UK is a place called "The LINX". Ideally therefore,
you ought to try and get your server as close to "The LINX" as possible.
This means that the path then becomes:
Dialup Customer <-> Dialup ISP <-> LINX <-> Your ISP <-> Your Server
Each time a packet of data has to cross a network device, (A 'hop') such as
a router or switch it get's slowed down and the possibility of failure is increased.
There might be quite a lot of hops on the Dialup ISP side, between LINX and the
customer and you can't do anything about that. You can however minimise the number on your side.
There might be quite a lot of hops on the Dialup ISP side, between LINX and the
customer and you can't do anything about that. You can however minimise the number on your side.
Remember: The less network devices (such as routers) to cross, the less can go wrong
and the faster data will reach it's destination. Obviously we need some routers, but not too many.
But... One hop over a congested damp piece of string is not as good as several hops
where no link is fast and with only 50% utilization.
However, whilst that is the general rule, some ISPs are now using ATM networks
with layer 2 switching and virtual ciruit paths. This cuts down on the number of
visible hops in the network. But those hops still exist.
What's important is to have high-bandwidth/low-latency connectivity to major
UK networks - while it's fair to say that being close to the LINX is helpful in
this regard, other arrangements may be of equal value in achieving that goal.
Note that the LINX isn't the only network access point (NAP) in the UK. ManAP, LoNAP and ScotIX are all either well established or 'nearly there' and they provide similar
benefits to that which the LINX NAP provides. Ask your ISP why they don't peer
at anywhere other than LINX!
This topic has the potential to turn into a full FAQ on it's own so keep asking and it might!
Next... Locating the host
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