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Enter a keyword...   ...or choose a category. choose one... Communications Computer Industry Companies Computer Science Data Graphics Hardware Internet and Online Services Mobile Computing Multimedia Networks Operating Systems Programming Software Standards Types of Computers World Wide Web   peering Last modified: Tuesday, March 12, 2002  A relationship between two or more small- or medium-sized ISPs in which the ISPs create a direct link between each other and agree to forward each other's packets directly across this link instead of using the standard Internet backbone. For example, suppose a client of ISP X wants to access a web site hosted by ISP Y. If X and Y have a peering relationship, the HTTP packets will travel directly between the two ISPs. In general, this results in faster access since there are fewer hops. And for the ISPs, it's more economical because they don't need to pay fees to a third-party Network Service Provider (NSP). Peering can also involve more than two ISPs, in which case all traffic destined for any of the ISPs is first routed to a central exchange, called a peering point, and then forwarded to the final destination. This is similar to the Network Access Points (NAPs) managed by the NSPs, but on a smaller scale.   Related Categories Internet Related Terms hop ISP NAP NSP Shopping peering Products Compare Products,Prices and Stores Shop by Category: Tools and Accessories 39 Store Offers Books 224 Model Matches Office Supplies 57 Store Offers Music 86 Model Matches Sport and Outdoor 85 Store Offers