- Mission & Goals
- Membership
- Content Peering
- IETF Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Mission & Goals
Q: What is the Content Alliance_
A: The Content Alliance, initiated in August 2000, was formed to facilitate the interoperability of independent Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
Q: Does the Content Alliance create standards_
A: No. While the Content Alliance may generate proposals for standards, it works through traditional standards bodies such as the IETF to gain broad industry acceptance.
Q: Is the Content Alliance run by Cisco_
A: No. Cisco initiated the Content Alliance, but it is self-governing.
A: The Content Alliance created a Content Peering Working Group in September 2000 to develop draft standards, called strawman documents, on the topic of content peering. These documents were presented at an IETF Birds-of-a-Feather session in December 2000. The purpose of the IETF BOF was to determine whether sufficient interest exists among IETF members to create a Working Group on the topic. By all accounts, this meeting was well-attended, with much interest in the topic.
As a result, an IETF Working Group was proposed on this topic, to be called the Content Distribution Internetworking (CDI) group. The CDI group has since been chartered as a working group by the IETF.
Q: What is the role of the Content Peering Working Group_
A: The Content Peering Working Group of the Content Alliance accomplished its objective! Five draft documents were submitted by the Content Alliance to the December IETF BOF. We now have active discussions in the IETF, and the issues of Content Alliance members are well-represented.
Learn more about the:
Content Alliance
IETF Documents
Content Distribution Internetworking Working Group
Membership
Q: Who can participate in the Content Alliance_
A: The Content Alliance is open to any technology vendor, service provider, or content provider interested in supporting the development of open standards for the advancement of content networking. Over 100 organizations have become members of the Content Alliance.
Q: My company is listed as an Alliance member. How can I find who signed up_
A: Send email to . We can send you the names and email addresses of your company's contacts.
Learn more about how to join the Content Alliance.
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Content Peering
Q: What is content peering and why is it important_
Content peering is the term for connecting multiple Content Delivery Networks (CDN's) and enabling them to work in cooperation. No individual CDN can span all the geographies and networks across the Internet. Likewise, a given CDN cannot take advantage of all the value added functionality — speed, security, quality-of-service, and other features — that individual service providers may implement.
Q: Why are content peering technology standards important_
Without standards, any interoperability is done on an ad-hoc basis. Just as with IP networks, a lack of standards creates incompatible networks. This results in independent "islands" of CDN's, rather than an interconnected mesh. Standards accelerate market growth. Networks have more value, since they can take advantage of other networks being deployed. Service providers can get in the game with lower equipment costs, and are more comfortable making investments. Content providers can get the broad reach and range of functionality they need.
Q: Why are content peering business models important_
Companies that are looking to peer their CDN's will need to engage in mutually beneficial business relationships. The industry is at a nascent stage in defining the appropriate models for such relationships. Defining the various models identifies the issues that companies need to address, and allows them to engage in business relationships with greater confidence, lower risk and higher degree of trust.
Learn more about content peering.
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IETF Document Discussions
Q: How can I join the IETF documents discussion_
A: Send "subscribe" to or "subscribe cdn" to
Q: Do I have to be a member of the Content Alliance to join the discussion_
A: No. Though the Content Alliance's Content Peering Working Group accomplished a lot in initiating this effort within the IETF, it is now being handled as part of the IETF.
Q: How can I send a comment about the IETF documents_
A: Send your comments to . Note that you must have subscribed (as described above) or your email will be rejected.
Q: What kind of people should take part in the discussion_
A: The discussion is focused on technical issues. We particularly welcome people who have an architectural perspective on content peering as it would affect some existing content, service, or system with which they are well-acquainted technically. A basic understanding of the business drivers for peering is also helpful, such as the kind of networks or equipment with which you expect to peer. Ideally, you would be able to explain how request routing, content distribution, and accounting would work for the scenario(s) you envision.
Q: Are there archives of that discussion_
A: Yes, Note that these archives cover only the discussion since the October 3rd Content Alliance meeting. Our mailing list before this point did not support archiving.
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