Let's look at a hypothetical situation. ISP1 peers at MAE-E and buys transit from MCI there. Now they ask Sprint to peer with them. Let's look at how they reach sites on the west coast.
This is a violation of the rules of Mae-East: it is not to be used for customer connections. ISP1 must have a private connection to MCI. Erik
Without peering, MCI gives the packets to Sprint at MAE-East and Sprint returns packets to MCI at some west coast nap. That is, MCI and Sprint share the coast-to-coast traffic.
With peering, Sprint must take the packets all the to MAE-E as it has a shorter AS path. All the coast-to-coast cost is borne by Sprint.
Do you get that? Now do you understand the 3 NAP rule?
David Schwartz
On Thu, 9 May 1996, Alan Hannan wrote:
So, comes my curiosity, and my puzzling thoughts about the current state of the net. Why is it not in my best interest to talk to NSPX at a meet point? Why, when it is in MY customer's best interest to talk to EVERYONE, would I not converse, and share knowledge and invitations about my customer base?