Who We Are
As a pioneer of IX services in Japan, JPNAP has played a crucial role in the infrastructure supporting the development of the Internet in Japan since its early days. Here is a sneak peek into the story of relentless pursuit of technology and trial and error behind it all.
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Bringing the finest quality, shaped by our customers' voices, to the world.
"JPNAP has been very precise. Even if there’s downtime, it only lasts a few hours at most, right?"
This is a frequent question raised during customer meetings regarding the optical switch developed by JPNAP. An optical switch is a device that seamlessly switches to the backup side when the main switch of an IX (Internet Exchange) goes down, playing a crucial role in enhancing the availability of the IX. With the introduction of an optical switch, you can change between the main switch and the backup in just a few milliseconds. The speed is so fast users will not notice the change. Nevertheless, the optical switch only comes into play when there is an issue with the main switch. Many IXs do not develop an optical switch because they can manually control the process. So, why did JPNAP decide to develop an optical switch? The reason lies in unique needs specific to the Japanese market.
Japan has well-developed infrastructure and little downtime for electricity, gas, or water. Power outages and water cutoffs are taken very seriously in Japan. The Japanese stance that "infrastructure malfunction is unforgivable" might be the strictest in the world. This standard does not only apply to infrastructure. Whether it's product shortages, sold-out items, minor product defects, or packaging issues, Japan has exceptionally high customer expectations in all areas. Therefore, minimizing downtime as much as possible is a given for IX developers in Japan. As a leader in Japan's IX sector, JPNAP collaborated with domestic vendors to develop and introduce the optical switch in the country.
Today, optical switches are being adopted internationally, predominantly by IXs that prioritize quality. Optical switches are helpful not just in times of network failure but also during maintenance activities. They allow quick transitions to backup systems during equipment upgrades or card replacements. Switching back to the main system is just as easy.
Today, optical switches are being adopted internationally, predominantly by IXs that prioritize quality. Optical switches are helpful not just in times of network failure but also during maintenance activities. They allow quick transitions to backup systems during equipment upgrades or card replacements. Switching back to the main system is just as easy.
