Traffic Radar

Traffic peaks over the Internet in relation still regularly cause issues due to high (unexpected) peak loads. This often is caused by for instance, but not limited to, live events and game/software updates and downloads. These (unexpected) peaks cause issues, affecting Content Providers (CPs), Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and Internet Connectivity Providers (ICPs) but also their users and customers, often even with the use of (multiple) CDNs.

Problem statement
Traffic peaks over the Internet are still happening due to for instance live events and game/software updates and downloads. They often cause issues due to various reasons such as (temporary) limited capacity, congestion/routing challenges, colliding peaks at the same time or maintenance windows during (unexpected) peak times. It is expected that these traffic peaks and the related issues thereof continue to grow. One of the major issues is the unavailability and visibility to CDNs (Content Delivery Networks) and ICPs (Internet Connectivity Providers) of when, how and at what size certain peak traffic happens in order for CDNs and ICPs to take measures to mitigate the impact to CPs (Content Providers), CDNs and the ICPs and their (end)users.

Objective
To define an (open) mechanism for (anonymous) information exchange between Content Providers (CPs), Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and Internet Connectivity Providers (ICPs) about expected significant internet traffic peaks, to give organizations the opportunity to prepare measures to manage impact on those organizations and their (end)users.

 The working group has decided that to solve this challenge, it currently has a focus on The Netherlands with participation of 90% of all the ICPs and the biggest internet-exchange in the country. The concept has been validated by both local CPs and CDNs with participation and validation by international CDNs and CPs beginning 2024. Once this concept has been established as a PoC and proven its worth, its goal is to extend the concept into other countries across the globe.

Chairs
CDN Alliance – Mark de Jong (chair)
AMS-IX – Jan van Boesschoten (co-chair)