Virtually every web page or app you use talks to a unique remote server with a unique IP address. When popular websites or apps have servers around th

Build your own Anycast network in 9 steps

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2022-01-15 19:30:06

Virtually every web page or app you use talks to a unique remote server with a unique IP address. When popular websites or apps have servers around the world, one problem is that complex systems have to be built to make sure you're talking to the optimal server (usually the closest one to you), otherwise performance can suffer. With anycast, a single IP address is assigned to the global servers and then the glue of the internet, BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), routes you to the “closest” server. The server isn’t necessarily the closest physically to you, but the one “network close” to you.  While anycast isn't new, using it to improve performance for web traffic is a relatively recent trend that some sites like LinkedIn are using.

This guide is intended for techies and sysadmin types who’d like to build a “Hello World” anycast network. If you’re not technical, consider skimming it to get an overview of how Internet plumbing is assembled. Running your own network is not only fun, but also instructive, and will give you a different vantage point on key topical issues like net neutrality, censorship, and IPv6. 

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