#United States #Southfield #Detroit Internet Exchange #Arista Networks #infrastructure upgrade

Enhancing Michigan's Digital Backbone

On August 4, 2025, the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), Michigan's preeminent not-for-profit internet exchange, made headlines with its groundbreaking infrastructure upgrade featuring the Arista Networks 7060X5 series switches. This strategic investment reflects DET-iX's commitment to providing high-speed, low-latency interconnection services tailored for its diverse and growing member community.

"The integration of Arista Networks' advanced technology will substantially bolster the Detroit Internet Exchange, further solidifying Michigan's internet infrastructure while also enriching its digital economy," stated Ryan Duda, Chief Technology Officer of 123NET. He emphasized DET-iX's unique position as an open-access, carrier-neutral, and fee-free exchange, which has attracted major players such as Apple, Microsoft, and Google. This robust partnership with Arista is expected to position DET-iX to meet burgeoning demand for seamless internet connectivity in the future.

Recently, DET-iX celebrated an impressive milestone—surpassing 2.5 terabits per second of peak traffic for the first time. This achievement underscores the urgent need for a resilient, scalable infrastructure capable of supporting the ever-evolving digital ecosystem in Michigan.

Upgrade Details

As part of the recent enhancements, DET-iX has successfully integrated two Arista 7060DX5-32 switches into its core framework. These state-of-the-art devices offer notable features:

• - 32 x 400GbE QSFP-DD ports
• - 12.8 Tbps wire-speed throughput
• - Latency as low as 825 nanoseconds
• - 57 MB shared packet buffer

One of the key advantages of these switches is their flexible breakout configurations, which facilitate deployment of up to 128 x 100GbE ports per device. With this upgrade, DET-iX now boasts a remarkable total switching capacity of 25.6 Tbps, ensuring ample room for traffic scalability while also improving reliability and member connection options.

Seamless Transition

Duda praised the seamless implementation of the switches, which was accomplished with zero service disruptions for DET-iX members. This smooth transition was made possible thanks to the strong collaboration between DET-iX and the Arista team, with valuable support from Cal Cook during the initial configuration phase.

Internet exchange points like DET-iX serve as essential hubs where various networks converge to exchange traffic efficiently, using sophisticated switching equipment to enhance peering and optimize overall network performance. Positioned within 123NET's Southfield headquarters, DET-iX stands as one of the largest internet exchanges worldwide, contributing to Michigan’s status as a leading data center location.

About DET-iX

Founded as a member-driven, not-for-profit entity, the Detroit Internet Exchange is dedicated to improving internet connectivity throughout Michigan by optimizing data exchange among Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content delivers, and enterprises. By enhancing network performance, DET-iX supports the development of a thriving digital ecosystem in the region.

About Arista Networks

As a prominent provider of cloud networking solutions tailored for expansive data centers and high-performance computing realms, Arista Networks is recognized for delivering exceptional availability, agility, automation, analytics, and security via its cutting-edge network operating systems. For further insights, visit Arista's official website.

For more information about DET-iX's services and membership, please visit www.detroitix.com.