Netflix Open Connect

The goal of the Netflix Open Connect programme is to provide our millions of Netflix subscribers with the highest-quality viewing experience possible. We achieve this goal by partnering with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deliver our content more efficiently. We partner with over a thousand ISPs to localise substantial amounts of traffic with Open Connect Appliance embedded deployments, and we have an open peering policy at our interconnection locations. If you are an ISP with a substantial amount of Netflix traffic, review this information to learn more about the programme.

For more information about Open Connect, see:

• Open Connect Briefing Paper: A co-operative approach to content delivery (PDF – English only)
• Overview of Open Connect (PDF – English only)
• Open Connect blog post

Key links on this site:

• ISP partnership options
• Engagement process
• Requirements for deploying embedded Open Connect Appliances
• Deploying embedded appliances
• Peering guidelines and contact information
• Peering locations

Fill in the appliance request form if you are interested in embedded appliance solutions.

The Netflix Open Connect programme provides opportunities for ISP partners to improve their customers' Netflix user experience by localising Netflix traffic and minimising the delivery of traffic that is served over a transit provider.

There are two main components of the programme, which are architected in partnership with ISPs to provide maximum benefit in each individual situation: embedded Open Connect Appliances and settlement-free interconnection (SFI).

Embedded Open Connect Appliances (OCAs)

Open Connect Appliances can be embedded in your ISP network. Embedded OCAs have the same capabilities as the OCAs that we use in our 60+ global data centres, and they are provided to qualifying ISP partners at no charge. Each embedded OCA deployment will offload a substantial amount of Netflix content traffic from peering or transport circuits. Multiple physical deployments can be distributed or clustered on a geographic or network basis to maximise local offload.

Netflix provides:

• Network architecture and technical turn-up expertise
• Ongoing monitoring and issue resolution
• Partner support

ISP partners work with Netflix to configure BGP sessions with the OCAs to steer traffic, and the appliances require a small amount of data centre rack space, power and connectivity.

If you have substantial Netflix traffic destined to your ISP customers, deploying embedded OCAs is usually the most beneficial option. However, embedded OCAs are not always deployed, depending on your traffic levels, data centre limitations or other factors.

The OCA Deployment Guide provides deployment details. If you are interested in OCA deployment at your ISP, please fill in our OCA request form.

Settlement-free interconnection (SFI)

Connect via direct Private Network Interconnect (PNI) or IXP-based SFI peering to Netflix Open Connect Appliances in our data centres. Peering alone can be beneficial.

If you deploy embedded OCAs, you also set up SFI peering for additional resiliency and to enable nightly content fills and updates.

Netflix has the ability to interconnect at a number of global data centre facilities and public Internet Exchange fabrics as listed on our Peering Locations page. We openly peer with any network at IXP locations where we are mutually present and we consider private interconnection as appropriate. If you are interested in interconnection, please review the information on the Peering Locations page.

ISPs who do not currently participate in public peering might want to consider that a single IX port can support multiple peering sessions, providing direct access to various content, cloud and network providers. In addition to Netflix, many large organisations such as Akamai, Amazon, Facebook, and Google/YouTube widely participate in public peering and combine to deliver a substantial percentage of traffic to a typical ISP.

From a connectivity standpoint, IX ports can be reached locally in a data centre or via transport. We recommend http://peeringdb.com as a detailed source of information that can help you find an IX that best meets your needs.