Everybody talks about BGP and assumes it’s as easy as just simply routing out the internet gateway.
This is what most ISPs and Cloud providers do is just advertise their paths. A truly high-performance cloud provider will have multiple connections to multiple backbones and use ToS and try special paths to certain IPs.
This is based on a few factors:
1. Shortest number of hops
2. Fastest Backbone (least latency)
3. Truly customized routing tables (based on your usage / critical applications) finance traders will find this very important… (Also VOIP transport)
The difference can literally be over 100-200 ms savings on latency.
This is not a typical data center or cloud setup. Even Amazon doesn’t do this. There are very few companies that do. They’re designed for this. Very few do it correctly. It’s not a cheap service, but if you’re doing international transport or financial trading (Forex / etc)
This is VERY important. I’ll be recommending a provider soon as I am currently testing a few of them. A truly high-performance cloud computing platform is not something you’re gonna find at the likes of a hurricane electric, or the planet, or even level 3.
It’s a specialized field and the difference is truly astounding. Ask any finance networking guru and they’ll tell you the same thing.
That’s why banks run their own private fiber networks. There is alot that can be done on the internet. Don’t assume you have to live with what your local provider gives you. If you’re looking for insane performance, it comes with price. Then again, shaving 50% off your latency should be worth it if it gives your business the edge.