What is the ENX Network?
Since 2000, the ENX Network has served as a secure automotive community infrastructure, enabling direct partner connectivity through an infrastructure separated from the public Internet.
Today, ENX connections enable trusted collaboration between hundreds of companies worldwide. Telecommunication service providers certified by ENX offer secure access to the ENX Network, supporting the exchange of sensitive development data as well as time critical information in logistics and production environments.
An ENX connection can replace a variety of proprietary point to point solutions. Similar to the Internet, ENX enables scalable connectivity between participating organizations, allowing participants to establish secure connections with new partners within a short period of time and enabling faster collaboration across organizational boundaries.
In addition to automobile manufacturers and suppliers, machine and plant builders, logistics service providers, advertising agencies and public authorities use the ENX Network for communication in automotive related application scenarios.
The ENX Network is also available for selected industrial and commercial applications beyond the automotive sector.
Governance by ENX
ENX provides centralized governance of the ENX Network through the ENX CORE, defining the technical and operational requirements for participation on behalf of the automotive user community.
ENX ensures interoperable and secure connectivity across the ENX Network through:
- Certification and oversight of ENX Certified Service Providers (CSPs)
- Definition and maintenance of standardized network access, interconnection and operational requirements
- Registration of participating organizations
- Monitoring of compliance with ENX usage conditions
- Escalation and enforcement mechanisms where required
Technical Features
Independent of the public Internet
A standardized and secure communication infrastructure based on a highly available multi‑provider network, separated from the public Internet.
Internet‑based communication principles
ENX uses the same IP‑based communication protocols and routing principles as the Internet, including peering between service providers and the use of public IP addressing. Within the ENX Network, these technologies enable scalable routed connectivity between participating organizations in a controlled and access‑restricted environment.
Managed service infrastructure
Network access is provided through devices operated by ENX Certified Service Providers (CSPs), ensuring consistent security configuration and professional operation across all participants.
Interoperability by design
Standardized access requirements and centralized governance ensure interoperability between different ENX Certified Service Providers (CSPs) and participant organizations, eliminating the need for proprietary partner‑specific network configurations.
European‑governed infrastructure
The ENX Network is operated as an industry‑governed infrastructure under European organizational oversight. Core central components, including the ENX Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Points of Interconnection, are hosted and operated within Europe.
Controlled connectivity between participants
Data exchange is secured by hardware‑based end‑to‑end encryption and authenticated by a centrally operated Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Connections are only established between authorized communication partners.
Limited responsibility domains
Communication between participants is routed through a maximum of three defined areas of responsibility: the networks of the respective ENX Certified Service Providers (CSPs) and the interconnection points operated by ENX.
Registration Information
1. Registration
Registration of an ENX Network User.
2. Selection
After a successful registration you choose an access fitting to your needs, provided by one of the ENX service providers.
3. Connect
Connect your ENX Access to your infrastructure.
4. Exchange
Once your individual connections are set, you can communicate securely with your business partners.
Connecting to the ENX Network
To participate in the ENX Network, companies first register with ENX as Network User Companies and then select and contract an ENX Certified Service Provider (CSP) to establish managed network access.
Once connected, secure communication tunnels can be established with authorized business partners across the ENX Network, enabling protected data exchange within a controlled and resilient communication environment.
This tunnel based connectivity model allows Network User Companies to use a single ENX Network connection to securely communicate with multiple authorized business partners without the need for partner specific network access solutions.
Why ENX Network?
- Resilient automotive community infrastructure operating independently of the public Internet
- Choice among competing ENX Certified Service Providers (CSPs) within a consistently
governed infrastructure - Governance by ENX ensures interoperable and consistently operated connectivity across Certified Service Providers
- Managed network access operated by ENX Certified Service Providers (CSPs)
- End to end service levels for communication across the ENX Network
- Secure communication through requested and approved partner connections
- Hardware based end to end encryption for protected data exchange
- European governed infrastructure with worldwide connectivity