Manitoba Internet Exchange Incorporated, “MBIX”, is a not-for-profit corporation created to allow IP networks to directly connect with  each other.  Data is exchanged locally with low latency and high bandwidth.

MBIX members are able to directly connect with one another over an unmetered ethernet connection, to exchange Internet traffic locally. MBIX owns and operates the ethernet switching platform used to interconnect member networks. It operates Route Servers used by members to facilitate multi-lateral peering, lowering demands on BGP admins.  It operates a services network to provide management access to equipment, and internet access to services hosted by MBIX.

History

A brief overview of early MBIX milestones:

• September 17, 2011 – MBIX was incorporated in the Province of Manitoba.
• January 10, 2012 – First member interest meeting
• April 4, 2013 – Switch installed and powered up
• June 18, 2013 – Packets begin moving between 3 MBIX members (LES.NET, Rainy Day, VOI)
• September 25, 2013 – MBIX inaugural AGM and Launch Party

MBIX currently operates in two locations in Winnipeg: 167 Lombard Avenue, and 294 Portage Avenue. The peering switch is a Cisco Nexus 7004 with a FEX extension at the second location, capable of handling a terabit per second of traffic.

Governance

MBIX is governed by its board of directors who are elected by the membership.

Volunteers

MBIX is operated entirely by volunteers.

Operations Team

The ops team keeps the bits flowing and equipment online.

• Jonathan Stewart, LES.NET
• Theo Baschak
• David Milton

Bookkeeper

The bookkeeper keeps MBIX finances in order. Voyageur Internet donates staff time to support this.