Introduction

Hong Kong Internet eXchange (HKIX) is initiated and coordinated by Information Technology Services Centre (ITSC) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). HKIX is NOT a transit service provider; instead, it is a layer-two settlement-free multi-lateral exchange point mainly for routing of intra-HongKong Internet traffic. However, HKIX can also be used for routing of Internet traffic between the networks in Hong Kong and the peer or downstream networks of HKIX participants in other countries. The peering model of HKIX is a SKA (Sender Keep All) peering model.

In order to join HKIX, the participant needs to fulfill the requirements and agrees to the policies and guidelines listed below:

Requirements for Participants to Join HKIX

The requirements for participants to join HKIX are as follows:

1. Participants should be one of the followings:
   1. Internet Access / Services providers (IAPs or ISPs), Telecommunication Services providers etc. with proper licenses such as PNETS, FTNS, EFTNS etc. issued by the Office of Telecommunication Authority (OFTA) of Hong Kong.
   2. Local or International Research, Education or Academic Networks.
   3. International network services providers and Internet exchanges that warrant not conducting competing ISP business in Hong Kong (i.e. otherwise, proper licenses such as PNETS from OFTA are required).
2. Participants should have primary global Internet connectivity independent of HKIX facilities.
3. Participants should be able to exchange routing tables (or peer) with the route server set up by HKIX using Border Gateway Protocol version 4 (BGP4).
4. In addition to running BGP4 to peer with HKIX route server, participants need to run BGP4 to peer with their upstream/peer/downstream providers. This is for better management of routing. (AS numbers need to be obtained from APNIC or others. If they are single-homed, their upstream providers need only send a BGP default route to them.)
5. Participants must be self-sufficient. For example, they should have their own primary DNS, Email, WWW and News servers.
6. The connections of participants to HKIX must be at least T1.
7. The data links to HKIX and the routers located at CUHK (if necessary) MUST be provided by the participants.

Policies & Guidelines

If an organization is interested to join, it needs to fulfill the above requirements and acknowledges the acceptance of the following HKIX policies and guidelines:

Peering

• HKIX at CUHK is a layer-two Internet Exchange over Ethernet. All participants connecting to HKIX at CUHK are exchanging data via an Ethernet that is a layer-two technology. All routers on the Ethernet are exchanging routing tables (or peering) with the route server set up by HKIX using BGP4.
• HKIX is a settlement-free interconnection point. No settlement needs to be paid by the peering participants for the incoming and outgoing traffic.
• The main purpose of the HKIX at CUHK is for routing of intra-HongKong traffic but it is acceptable if participants allow others to exchange traffic with their peer or downstream network(s) at other countries free of charge.
• All participants should not filter traffic or routing table entries to or from any other participants unless it is justifiable.
• HKIX has set up route servers for peering; participants must only peer with these servers. Participants can also peer with other participants directly as long as the arrangement does not violate any of the policies and guidelines stated here.
• All participants of HKIX are considered equal. All HKIX participants must peer with one another via the route servers.
• Each participant must be an Autonomous System (AS) by itself with a globally unique AS number assigned by InterNIC, RIPE-NCC, APNIC or their sub-registries.
• The source addresses of the data traversing the HKIX must be officially assigned by InterNIC, RIPE-NCC, APNIC or their sub-registries.

Connectivity

• Each participant MUST have its own global Internet connectivity through other Internet access provider(s) independent of HKIX facilities.
• The HKIX at CUHK MUST NOT be used as the primary connection to the global Internet. The key point is that if the link to HKIX or the HKIX itself is down, connectivity should still be maintained
• CUHK is the primary site of HKIX, participants with a single connection (data link) to HKIX should connect to the primary site of HKIX.
• Should HKIX has secondary site(s), participants might add additional data link(s) to the secondary site(s) for redundancy or load balance purposes subject to the approval of HKIX.

Colocation

• HKIX will provide rack space, electricity, air-conditioning and Ethernet connections to the HKIX participants for their routers located at HKIX. For details of the connection types and rack space for router colocation, please refer to the HKIX connection guidelines.
• HKIX at CUHK will also provide MINIMAL operational support.
• The routers located at HKIX at CUHK will be managed by the corresponding participants.

Liability

• Each participant connecting to HKIX should take all necessary precautions to assure that abuse of network resources, both that of HKIX and its peers does not occur.
• Participants must arrange suitable insurance to cover their equipment while it is within HKIX racks. Insurance must include adequate cover for third party liability in the event of the participant's equipment causing damage to HKIX, other participants or third party staff or equipment. HKIX may demand, and the participant must provide proof of, adequate relevant insurance cover to the satisfaction of HKIX.
• HKIX and CUHK will not be responsible for any loss and damages to the participants caused by the operations of HKIX or its participants.
• HKIX and CUHK will not be responsible for any illegal activities performed by any of its participants.

Cost

• The data links to HKIX and the routers located at HKIX at CUHK MUST be provided (or paid) by the corresponding participants.
• HKIX functions on a not-for-profit basis and we think HKIX is for the benefits of all parties. Currently, there is no plan to impose any charges for membership or connection. However, HKIX reserves the right to do so in the future when it becomes necessary. Should it be the case, it will be used to cover the cost of coordinating and managing HKIX activities.

Disconnection

• HKIX reserves the right to disconnect any participants if they violate any of the policies and guidelines stated above.

Application

If you have decided to join HKIX, please send an e-mail to HKIX Team saying that you fulfill all the requirements and agree with all the policies and guidelines of HKIX mentioned above together with your PNETS license number if any. We will send you information and application form on how to make the connection after receiving your mail. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

HKIX reserves the right to amend the policies and guidelines in the future, to obtain the latest information regarding the HKIX policies and guidelines please visit our web site http://www.hkix.net.