CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA – January 2, 2014 – The Open-IX Association (OIX), a neutral, non-profit industry association formed to promote better standards for data center interconnection and Internet exchanges in North America, announces it is now accepting applications for all Data Center and IX locations across the country.  This declaration comes on the heels of its recent announcement declaring the opening of the application process for OIX certification in Northern Virginia (NoVA).

In order to become an OIX certified data center or Internet Exchange Point (IXP), companies must first initiate the process by submitting an application that includes a deposit and processing fee. The OIX executive board reviews each application and once accepted, data centers and IXPs are required to complete a compliance report to adhere to the OIX technical requirements.

“After opening up the application process for the NoVA market, demand for other regions and interest in achieving OIX certification has been tremendous,” commented Martin Hannigan, co-founder and Treasurer of Open-IX Association. “In addition to applying for OIX certification, industry members who are interested in Internet Exchange Points and data center interconnection and infrastructure, interconnect engineering, or research can also join the OIX as members. Membership is $50 per year and provides the opportunity to have input on shaping the operations, engineering and future of interconnecting networks.”

“We are excited to see the official launch of the Open-IX initiative come to fruition," added John Sarkis, Vice President of Carrier and Connectivity Operations for Digital Realty. “This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many members of the Internet community and solidifies a revolutionary change for the industry."

OIX was formed in September 2013 and is a non-profit and neutral body of volunteers from the Internet community with the common goal of creating standards for Internet connectivity, resiliency, interconnect, security and cost.  OIX is seeking to help unify a highly fragmented industry and change the way networks connect with one another in North America by creating a new network of member-governed Internet exchange points (IXPs) housed in multiple neutral data center facilities that allow participants to interact and exchange content in a very cost-effective manner.

OIX standards are already being adopted by LINX, AMS-IX, Digital Realty, DuPont Fabros, Raging Wire, and many other data center and IX providers. To apply for OIX certification, email info@open-ix.org.

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About OIX

The Open-IX Association (OIX) is an Internet community derived effort to improve the landscape of Internet peering and interconnect in the United States. OIX encourages the development of neutral and distributed Internet exchanges in North America while promoting uniform, cost-efficient standards of performance for interconnections backed by the Internet community.  The association aims to promote common and uniform specifications for data transfer and physical connectivity and improve IX performance by developing criteria and methods of measurement to reduce the complexity that restricts interconnection in fragmented markets.  The OIX Board is comprised of volunteer representatives from the Internet community in the United States, including Paul L. Andersen; Donald S. Clark; Dan Golding; Martin Hannigan; Keith Mitchell; David Temkin; and Barry Tishgart.  More information about OIX can be found by visiting www.open-ix.org.