As the end of 2024 draws closer, Inter.link still has more events to attend. One of these is the opening of DD-IX, the first public Internet Exchange in Dresden, Saxony.

Inter.link engineers its network for performance, always seeking the most efficient routes for high-quality connectivity with the lowest latency. We recognise the importance of DD-IX’s mission to keep local traffic local, and this is why we have decided to sponsor them.

On the 25th of November, our co-founder Marc Korthaus will give a presentation at DD-IX’s opening event: ‘How to Automate Large Transit Networks’. Marc will talk about how large transit providers (such as Inter.link) are automating their network in a secure and reliable way.

We hope to see you at the event!

To share DD-IX’s story and give more insight as to why Inter.link sponsors them, in the midst of final preparations, the DD-IX team had time for a short interview.

DD-IX’s big opening is coming up soon on the 25th of November. Can you tell us about the journey which has led to this point?

The journey to DD-IX has been one of collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision. Dresden has long been in need of its own Internet Exchange Point (IXP), given that the digital and business landscape of the city grows. The idea for DD-IX was born from the local community’s realization that a neutral platform for peering could vastly improve connectivity and foster innovation in the region.

Over the past year, a dedicated group of volunteers and supporters worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. From securing a rack-space at the SachsenEnergie Center to establishing the technical and organizational foundation of the IXP, every step has been a testament to the power of collaboration.

DD-IX is now a registered non-profit association, ensuring neutrality and openness, and we’re incredibly excited to officially launch on November 25th. It’s been a journey powered by passion for digital infrastructure and by the wonderful community.

Dresden Internet Exchange is dedicated to keeping local traffic local. Why is this beneficial and what does it involve?

“Keeping Local Traffic Local” is the cornerstone of what makes IXPs such as DD-IX so vital. Without an IXP, data often has to travel through distant hubs—sometimes even to other countries—before reaching its destination. This detour does not only increase latency but also harms reliability and leads to higher economic costs.

By enabling networks to exchange traffic directly within Dresden, DD-IX reduces latency and ensures more resilient connections. This is especially important for latency-sensitive applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, and cloud services. Moreover, keeping traffic local enhances privacy and security since data stays within the region, avoiding unnecessary exposure to third-party networks.

In practical terms, this involves building a physical and logical platform where networks can “peer” with each other. DD-IX offers this as a neutral, non-profit service.

What are some of DD-IX’s plans for the future?

DD-IX is committed to becoming a key digital hub for Dresden and the surrounding region. Some of our future plans include:

• Expanding the member base: Encouraging more networks, including ISPs, educational institutions, and enterprises, to peer at DD-IX and benefit from improved connectivity.
• Building partnerships: Collaborating with other IXPs, research institutions, data-center providers, and industry organizations to enhance the exchange of ideas and best practices.
• improving internet architecture:
• Promoting digital education: Hosting community events, workshops, and discussions to raise awareness about the importance of IXPs and the role of digital infrastructure in modern society. We’d like to highlight our IXP-from-Sktrach series on RIPE Labs, which e

Ultimately, DD-IX aims to be more than just an IXP—it strives to be a catalyst for digital transformation in Dresden.

Inter.link looks forward to seeing what the future holds for DD-IX. As a major NaaS (Network as a Service) provider across Europe, especially in Germany, Inter.link supports advances in connectivity.