Features
12 Aug 21

Ivo Ivanov: Fleet managers will gain control over the data value chain through IX

The beginning of the digital car era brings two main challenges for the auto industry: seamless, ultra-fast data transmission and the highest level of security.

The automotive industry is an early adaptor for a new technology that also appears at the junction of fast data transmission and security: Internet Exchange (IX). IXs are points where telecommunication companies, internet service providers, content networks and content delivery networks interconnect. Data exchange provided at one location, with increased security in Closed User Groups (CUG).

To look further into the IX technology we spoke with Ivo Ivanov, CEO of the top provider of IX technology in Europe DE-CIX.

What are the most critical components of IX for the car industry?

"Interconnecting with partners via an IX enables aggregation in an improved latency (response time) to the location of the car and enhanced stability. Using an IX platform that is already active in a dynamic ecosystem of networks, a car manufacturer can position itself right on the spot, where the digital economy is already playing out and where the future is being moulded."

"Automotive networks enable us to interact with data suppliers and buyers most directly and practically. Through a direct interconnect supported by CUG exclusively designed for enterprise interconnection, the connection on the network side can be optimised, thus reducing latency for the provider networks and data centres in the ecosystem."

What will be the advantages of IX technology for fleet management?

"Industries worldwide are entering a new era of digitisation, making performance, resilience, and security in network connections business-critical. Multiple sectors like healthcare, finance, retail, logistics, and automotive have been discovering the benefits of connecting with their digital value chain via an IX."

"Fleet management is not left out. However, using a CUG not only improves the latency and performance of your connections but also helps with the fulfilment of data protection and compliance requirements – giving you control of your data value chain. Connected vehicles generate a vast amount of big data. As traditionally executed, forging compliance individually with partners in the network or establishing bilateral relationships is not suitable for the future of the digital car. This approach is not scalable in larger ecosystems with several players."

How much data does each connected car produce per kilometre?

"The amount of data generated should be measured in data consumption per second/minute/hour versus distance. Connected cars today produce around 25 gigabytes of data per hour. With the increasing self-driving features, the architecture of connected vehicles will become even more complex."

How much will the latency be reduced and in what range?

"We can define latency as the new currency. To ensure a decent end-user experience with today’s widely accepted applications, the maximum latency you can afford is around 65 milliseconds. To reach an excellent level of performance, the latency must be no more than 20 milliseconds. On the other hand, smart IoT and critical applications like autonomous driving require much lower latency: in the range of 1-3 milliseconds. Mini data centres have to be placed in every interchange to diminish latency to the minimum level within a range of 50-80 km from the user."

What kind of security infrastructure is applied?

"Security is a highly sensitive issue as digital cars can be targeted for identity theft or hacking of an IoT device on the vehicle. IXs respond to this threat by CUGs, by providing direct interconnection of the networks. Thus, few parties engage in a secure network for legitimate data exchange, reducing the interference of malicious third parties to a minimum. Additionally, the IX operator provides additional security mechanisms to mitigate the risk of router hijacks, IP hijacking and DDoS attacks."

Photo: Ivo Ivanov, CEO, DE-CIX

Author: Müfit Yılmaz Gökmen