Open Connect is a content distribution network specifically developed by Netflix to deliver its TV shows and movies to avoid the traffic and fees.
Netflix provides physical appliances to internet service providers that allow them to avoid traffic during peak hours of streaming or sustain the anticipated ones. By shipping copies of content to these appliances ahead of time, the devices can store duplicates of titles, thereby reducing the network burden. Also, Netflix places its servers in locations with the highest number of subscribers and forms partnerships with ISP networks or IXPs. [1]
Furthermore, Netflix adapts its content to the quality of the network. This is achieved by sending three copies of each title, each at a different quality level, to its servers. For example, if a user's ISP is overwhelmed or the Internet connection is poor, the system can select a lower-bitrate version of the title.[2]
Netflix launched Open Connect in 2012. Since then, Netflix has spent over $1 billion to develop and distribute more than 8,000 Open Connect Appliances (OCA). The service started working on the free-of-charge distribution of OCAs in cooperation with ISPs. So far, more than 1,000 ISPs have acquired and installed OCAs, which has allowed them to save $1.25 billion by 2021.[3]
In the case of an OCA that is hosted at an IXP, Netflix maintains ownership of the OCA and is responsible for covering its own expenses such as power consumption, colocation fees, cross-connect fees, and other related costs. Netflix has installed OCAs in over 52 IXPs around the world, enabling a connection with any ISP.[4]
Netflix deploys OCAs within IXPs located in major Netflix markets around the world. These OCAs are interconnected with ISPs present at the same location through free public or private peering.
OCAs are directly installed within ISP networks. While Netflix supplies the server hardware at no cost, ISPs are responsible for providing space, power, and connectivity.[5]
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Network | ISP with a public ASN |
| Netflix Viewer Traffic | Minimum 5 Gbit/s of peak Netflix traffic |
| AWS Connectivity | Accessible control plane services running in AWS |
| Physical Connection | 2-6 x 10 Gbit/s optical Ethernet ports in a LACP LAG per OCA |
| Maximum Power Supply Draw | 750W |
Three primary factors that determine the number of appliances that need to be deployed are:
Open Connect is a combination of local servers, referred to as OCAs, and additional infrastructure. Netflix has developed storage appliances that are used to store the content in many IX locations globally and are embedded at larger ISP partner locations. The storage holds up to 350 TB, therefore, if something from storage becomes popular, Netflix will move that title onto the other server called flash server which serves large traffic.[1]
These are used software for designing Open Connect Appliance Software: