France-IX Connectivity

France-IX operates a series of Internet Peering Exchanges (IXs) throughout France, and partners with Megaport as part of our IX platform. IXs can exchange data traffic between networks more directly and efficiently, reducing bandwidth usage on network uplink connections. For more details, see https://www.franceix.net/en/.

You can connect to France-IX through a VXC. VXCs can be ordered from any location on the Megaport network to France-IX ports.

VXCs are provisioned and ordered to France-IX using the Service Key and Megaport Marketplace connection types. Service key and Marketplace VXCs can be created to France-IX from Ports, MCRs, and MVEs.

Tip

You can also create VXCs to France-IX using the public Megaport API. When creating a VXC, first use the FRANCEIX connectType in the GET Partner Megaports endpoint to identify the France-IX port to connect to. For more details, see Megaport API and Connections (VXCs).

Creating a VXC with a service key

A service key is a code that is given by one Megaport account holder to another to connect two separate businesses together. Customers who have separate Megaport accounts can connect their Ports to each other across the Megaport network, enabling business-to-business VXCs.

The service key is provided by France-IX with preconfigured settings, and you use this service key to create a VXC between locations.

You can order a VXC to France-IX from a Port, MCR, or MVE. The process for ordering a VXC from a Port or MVE is the same, while for MCR an additional page is displayed.

For more details about service keys, see Setting Up Service Keys.

To create a VXC to France-IX from a Port or MVE

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the Services page and select the Port or MVE you want to use.
   If you haven’t already created a Port, see Creating a Port. For MVEs, see Introducing MVE.
2. Click +Connection.
3. Click Enter Service Key.
   
4. Enter the service key in the Megaport Service Key ID field.
   Megaport validates the key and displays basic information about the key.
   

5. Click Next.

6. Specify these connection details:

   • Connection Name – The name of your VXC to be shown in the Megaport Portal.

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the VXC to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

   • Rate Limit – This is the speed of your connection in Mbps up to the maximum limit defined by the service key (or Port speed). For example, if the service key maximum is 1 Gbps and the Port has 10 Gbps, the maximum speed is 1 Gbps.

   • Preferred A-End VLAN (optional) – Specify an unused VLAN ID for this connection.
     This must be a unique VLAN ID on this Port and can range from 2 to 4093. If you specify a VLAN ID that is already in use, the system displays the next available VLAN number. The VLAN ID must be unique to proceed with the order. If you don’t specify a value, Megaport will assign one.
     The B-End VLAN for the provider side termination is automatically populated based on the service key.

   

7. Click Next to view the Summary page.
   The monthly rate is based on the B-End surcharge and VXC price.

8. Confirm the configuration and pricing then click Add VXC.
9. Click Order.
10. Review the Order Services agreement and click Order Now.
    The VXC is automatically provisioned. However, if a speed change is made then it is subject to approval by France-IX.

To create a VXC to France-IX from an MCR

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the Services page and select the MCR you want to use.
   If you haven’t already created an MCR, see Creating an MCR.
2. Click +Connection.
3. Click Enter Service Key.
   
4. Enter the service key in the Megaport Service Key ID field.
   Megaport validates the key and displays basic information about the key.
   

5. Click Next.

6. Specify these connection details:

   • Connection Name – The name of your VXC to be shown in the Megaport Portal.

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the VXC to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

   • Rate Limit – This is the speed of your connection in Mbps up to the maximum limit defined by the service key (or Port speed). For example, if the service key maximum is 1 Gbps and the Port has 10 Gbps, the maximum speed is 1 Gbps.

   

7. Click Next.
   The MCR Connection Details page appears. For each VXC connected to an MCR you can configure one or more interfaces, IP addresses, BGP connections, or static routes. Most VXCs will use one interface. However, you can configure multiple interfaces enabling a Q-in-Q connection and specifying an inner VLAN tag for each interface. Each VLAN ID must be unique. You can add up to five VLAN IDs.

8. Enable or disable the QinQ VLAN option.
   For more details about this option, see Creating a VXC.

9. Enter any details specific to the VXC type.

   • For details on adding a BGP connection, see Configuring an MCR.
   • For details on enabling Bidirectional Forwarding Detection settings, see Configuring the BFD protocol.
   • For details on adding a static route, see Configuring static routes.

10. Click Next to view the Summary page.
    The monthly rate is based on the B-End surcharge and VXC price.

11. Confirm the configuration and pricing then click Add VXC.
12. Click Order.
13. Review the Order Services agreement and click Order Now.
    The VXC is automatically provisioned. However, if a speed change is made then it is subject to approval by France-IX.

Creating a VXC in the Megaport Marketplace

Megaport Marketplace is an online hub where global service providers and enterprise customers interconnect. As a Megaport customer, you can order VXCs to public France-IX ports in the Marketplace.

You can order a VXC to France-IX from a Port, MCR, or MVE. The process for ordering a VXC from a Port or MVE is the same, while for MCR an additional page is displayed.

After you successfully order a VXC in the Marketplace, Megaport sends email notifications to both the service provider (France-IX) and the customer (you). The VXC connection request needs to be approved by the service provider. For details about the notification and approval process, see Marketplace Notifications.

For more details about the Megaport Marketplace, see Megaport Marketplace Overview.

To deploy a VXC to France-IX from a Port or MVE

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the Services page and select the Port or MVE you want to use.
   If you haven’t already created a Port, see Creating a Port. For MVEs, see Introducing MVE.
2. Click +Connection.
3. Click Megaport Marketplace.
   
4. Select France-IX as the provider.
   The list of destination ports with availability for the provider appear, including diversity information.
   
5. Select the destination port then click Next.

6. Specify these connection details:

   • Connection Name – The name of your VXC to be shown in the Megaport Portal.

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the VXC to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

   • Rate Limit – This is the speed of your connection in Mbps. The speed tiers available are dependent on the selected location and speed of the Port. For example, you cannot order a 10 Gbps VXC if the A-End Port is 1 Gbps.

   • Preferred A-End VLAN (optional) – Specify an unused VLAN ID for this connection.
     This must be a unique VLAN ID on this Port and can range from 2 to 4093. If you specify a VLAN ID that is already in use, the system displays the next available VLAN number. The VLAN ID must be unique to proceed with the order. If you don’t specify a value, Megaport will assign one.

     Alternatively, you can click Untag to remove the VLAN tagging for this connection. The untagged option limits you to only one VXC deployed on this Port.

   

7. Click Next to view the Summary page.
   The monthly rate is based on the B-End surcharge and VXC price.

8. Confirm the configuration and pricing then click Add VXC.
9. Click Order.
10. Review the Order Services agreement and click Order Now.
    After ordering the VXC, a notification is sent to France-IX, who can either accept or reject the connection request. For VXCs created via the Marketplace, an approval is required from the B-End.

To deploy a VXC to France-IX from an MCR

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the Services page and select the MCR you want to use.
   If you haven’t already created an MCR, see Creating an MCR.
2. Click +Connection.
3. Click Megaport Marketplace.
   
4. Select France-IX as the provider.
   The list of destination ports with availability for the provider appear, including diversity information.
   
5. Select the destination port then click Next.

6. Specify these connection details:

   • Connection Name – The name of your VXC to be shown in the Megaport Portal.

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the VXC to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

   • Rate Limit – This is the speed of your connection in Mbps. The speed tiers available are dependent on the selected location and speed of the Port. For example, you cannot order a 10 Gbps VXC if the A-End Port is 1 Gbps.

   

7. Click Next.
   The MCR Connection Details page appears. For each VXC connected to an MCR you can configure one or more interfaces, IP addresses, BGP connections, or static routes. Most VXCs will use one interface. However, you can configure multiple interfaces enabling a Q-in-Q connection and specifying an inner VLAN tag for each interface. Each VLAN ID must be unique. You can add up to five VLAN IDs.

8. Enable or disable the QinQ VLAN option.
   For more details about this option, see Creating a VXC.

9. Enter any details specific to the VXC type.

   • For details on adding a BGP connection, see Configuring an MCR.
   • For details on enabling Bidirectional Forwarding Detection settings, see Configuring the BFD protocol.
   • For details on adding a static route, see Configuring static routes.

10. Click Next to view the Summary page.
    The monthly rate is based on the B-End surcharge and VXC price.

11. Confirm the configuration and pricing then click Add VXC.
12. Click Order.
13. Review the Order Services agreement and click Order Now.
    After ordering the VXC, a notification is sent to France-IX, who can either accept or reject the connection request. For VXCs created via the Marketplace, an approval is required from the B-End.

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Last update: 2023-08-15