you can check it out here from different places on vdi.net , site5.com , multipleimage.com compared to some of the big players like verio.com and rackspace.com.


http://www.visualware.com/visualroute/livedemo.html

any body have an explanation.

The answer you search is "BGP". Level 3 Networks use worldwide the new BGP-4 system. BGP is the short name for "Border Gateway Protocol" and in some short words it means that wherever you are from - the packets get routed through the shortest routing way. So if you have a server with Level 3 in for example NewYork/US and you trys to visit the page from the UK or from Japan - you will get almos the same ping rate. Verio you normaly get the same results since Verio also use BGP on their networks.

They all use BGP... the big difference is in how their network is designed. If, you look at level3 it's generally point to point, for instance when I do traceroute to VDI.. I hit level3 LA, and then level3 in NJ. Whereas with most other's you have to go through a number of routers to get there.

of course not all "big players" use BGP - perhaps some or their isp where they are connected to. Rackspace for example doesn´t have their own network .. if you do traces on the exodus network you will get almost the same result like with Level 3 since they also have a worldclass bgp routing system. The fact why you get routed often or mainly through Level 3 gateways is that they have some of the fastest gateways and maintain a lot of "backup" links for isps - also their bandwidth is compared to others very cheap.

The answer you search is "BGP". Level 3 Networks use worldwide the new BGP-4 system.Most ISPs use BGP4, they have been for a while. It's not new. RackSpace does use BGP-4 and have done so for a long time.

The fact why you get routed often or mainly through Level 3 gateways is that they have some of the fastest gateways and maintain a lot of "backup" links for isps - also their bandwidth is compared to others very cheap.Level 3 does have a nice network, but they don't have the fastest gateways? You are right, they are "inexpensive".