Resource Sharing on the Internet: A Comprehensive Survey on ISP Peering

Peering has rapidly emerged as a critical element of the Internet architecture in ensuring low latency, bandwidth efficient and high Quality-of-Service operation for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In this paper, we delve into the multifaceted domain of peering, providing a comprehensive overview of its fundamental elements. We investigate the various peering models and policies available to ISPs, as well as key players of the ecosystem. We also explore security risks associated with peering and available safeguards to mitigate them. Our goal is to review current industry practices and research literature to shed valuable insights into the complexities of ISP peering.