Case Study: Dropbox achieves lower latency and better global user experience with IBM NS1 Connect

Dropbox collaborates with IBM to cut latency by up to 200 milliseconds

Dropbox, a global file hosting and collaboration provider serving over half a billion users, needed to improve DNS load balancing after its geolocation-based routing was sending users to nearby points of presence that were not always the fastest. This caused higher latency and inconsistent performance in some regions, including Iceland, Egypt, and Vladivostok, putting pressure on Dropbox’s global service quality.

Dropbox worked with IBM to implement IBM® NS1 Connect®, replacing static geolocation routing with real-time, performance-based traffic steering. The solution improved routing accuracy and network efficiency, delivering 10%–15% latency improvements for users at the 75th and 95th percentiles, up to 200 milliseconds lower latency for long-tail users, and a 10% latency benefit in Iceland and Egypt, while also fully utilizing the Berlin point of presence.

Dropbox

Nikita Shirokov

Traffic Team