MSIX is the Metered Service Information eXchange, an XML-based record
format and transport protocol that enables Network Service Providers to effectively
meter usage and charge for network-based services. The record format and protocol
provide a common interface for network-hosted applications to easily exchange
detailed usage information with network pricing, billing and management servers.
With the development of the MSIX protocol, ISPs and software vendors are able to deliver value-added services to customers that make use of a common accounting framework that simplifies their integration with billing and network management systems.
The commercial deployment of value-added services, such as voice and fax gateways, universal inbox, gaming, video and chat services, has been hindered by the immaturity of network billing and management systems. The MSIX effort is aimed at aiding in the delivery of value-added services to Internet users.
The initial revision of the MSIX specification was created by NetCentric Corporation and Compaq, with input from a large consortium of companies. It was delivered on June 1, 1997. MetraTech picked up the effort in early 1999 and, in June 1999, secured the rights to offer change control for the specification to the IETF if it's useful to the IETF's accounting protocol work. MSIX currently exists as an Internet-Draft and is available on this site.
MSIX 1.2 is available for use by all who care to implement it. If you plan to do an implementation, please let us know, as we may be able to offer some help. Feel free to send questions or comments.
Users are willing to pay for reliable, high-quality, value-added services from their ISPs; but without a standard billing and metering system, ISPs don't have a viable way to provide these services. That's why MSIX is so important--it provides ISPs an industry-standard, application-independent way to offer the value-added services their customers demand.
- Ted Julian, Internet Research Manager at International Data Corporation (IDC)