Can anyone please explain me what is diff between tier1 and tier2.

Generally, Tier 1 providers own their whole network and Tier 2 providers buy transit from Tier 1 providers for part of their network.

UUNet is a Tier 1 provider are they own their own network but Savvis is a Tier 2 provider because part of their network runs on Level3's network (infrastructure).

Hope that helps!

What is the speed of tier1 and tier2. What is the speed of backbone. Can you tell me any link where I can get detailed info about the backbone, connectivity, latency and other things.

Whoever you ask, you'll get the same answer:

"We are tier 1, Everyone else is tier 2."

Ok, maybe exagerating a bit, but there is no strict definition, it is all a (mostly subjective) matter of degrees.

Jolly, since you seem to have lots and lots of questions, I suggest you go to your local library (or bookstore) and get yourself a copy of Tanenbaum's "Computer Networks"... it is an excellent first text on networking, covering everything from modems to SMTP.

I tried to find some info from the net but I couldn't find single good site which give detailed info about the Internet network, backbone, latency, tier1 and more.
If you know any site than please let me know ......
Tks

Originally posted by jolly
I tried to find some info from the net but I couldn't find single good site which give detailed info about the Internet network, backbone, latency, tier1 and more.
If you know any site than please let me know ......

You won't find anything. It's the old "Those who can't, teach" all over again: The few people who have a good understanding of networks are too busy either 1. Teaching at universities, 2. Doing research, or 3. Actually building the bloody things to write up material for newbies.

That said, you'll find lots of material out there... written by people who don't understand things well themselves.

What is the speed of tier1 and tier2. What is the speed of backbone. Can you tell me any link where I can get detailed info about the backbone, connectivity, latency and other things.Most providers have a network map on their sites which lists the pipe sizes to all the cities. If you are looking for an overall latecy report between providers, check out http://www.internethealthreport.com/

Hope that helps,

Originally posted by RackMy.com
Generally, Tier 1 providers own their whole network and Tier 2 providers buy transit from Tier 1 providers for part of their network.


Mike I think the accepted definition has been modified a bit over the last couple of years. Based on your definition anyone who had a direct connection into one of the MAEs and their own network block would be a Tier 1.

The definition, I think, has been modified somewhat to reflect the more commercial nature of the Internet. I think something like this would be more appropriate:

A Tier 1 provider is a provider that does not have to pay to peer with other providers.

Level 3, AT&T, Cable & Wireless, Sprint, UUNET, Qwest, Verio, Genuity and, I think, PSINet don't have to pay to peer, so they are Tier 1. Savvis, Broadwing, e.Spire, and others do have to pay to peer so they would be Tier 2.

Most of this information is kept private by the large ISPs. So I doubt you will find it published anywhere, and I don't know that the ISPs that are listed are all considered Tier 1, but that is my best guess.

You can get a pretty good idea of backbone sizes, etc from Boardwatch (http://www.boardwatch.com/isp/bb/n_america.htm)