Network Architecture
Points of Presence ("PoP")
BOX provides PoPs in Newark, NJ, New York, NY and Chicago, IL. BOX Participants need to extend their existing networking framework to only one of the PoPs in order to connect to BOX. Participants may, however, connect to multiple PoPs for redundancy purposes, if this additional security is desired. Participants are responsible for making arrangements with their network providers to connect to BOX PoPs.
In addition, some third party Internet Protocol (IP) extranet providers offer access to BOX. For a list of and links to these providers, please refer to Telecoms. Note that only BOX Participant firms or service providers designated by them may connect directly to the BOX PoPs.
Each BOX Participant is responsible for the telecoms connection between his operations' site and the point of connection to the BOX network. Bandwidth requirements depend on the type of trading activity conducted by the Participant; for example, a BOX Market Maker requires a substantially "thicker" telecoms link than a broker wishing simply to enter client orders from his central order management site.
BOX recommends that each Participant have two distinct points of connection to BOX so that back-up facilities are available as needed.
