In the digital age, the demand for data transmission speed and stability is increasing for both businesses and individuals. This is especially true for multinational companies and businesses operating in the Chinese market, who require efficient and stable network connections. This is why the lines provided by China Mobile International Limited (CMI) are gaining attention.

Introduction to CMI Lines

As the name suggests, CMI lines are data transmission services provided by China Mobile International Limited. As a subsidiary of China Mobile, since its establishment in 2010, CMI has leveraged its parent company’s influence in the global communications market to expand its business in over 20 countries and regions. Notably, with its own data centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Frankfurt, London, and San Jose, CMI provides high-quality network services to global users.

The Distinctiveness of Hong Kong CMI Lines

Currently, the Hong Kong CMI lines are a popular choice in the market due to their geographical location and technological advantages. Hong Kong, as an international financial center, boasts excellent network infrastructure and a free internet environment. Its proximity to mainland China makes it an ideal location for high-speed connections. This means that CMI lines not only offer high-speed network performance but also have a clear advantage when connecting to mainland China.

Comparison between CMI Lines and CN2 Lines

In the selection of VPS and servers, CMI lines are often compared with China Telecom’s CN2 lines. CN2, short for ChinaNet Next Carrying Network, is China Telecom’s next-generation carrier network, known for its high speed and low latency, but it comes at a relatively higher price. In contrast, CMI lines offer a more cost-effective option. Although the CN2 GIA line has a slight edge in performance, considering the cost, CMI lines provide an economical and practical alternative for users.

The Importance of Triple Network Return and Choosing CMI Lines

When selecting a VPS, a key consideration is whether the triple network return passes through CMI. Triple network return refers to the process of data being transmitted back through the networks of China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. If the return path is via CMI for all three networks, it means that no matter which carrier’s network the data goes through, it can benefit from the advantages of the CMI line, which is particularly evident in nodes such as Guangzhou. If only China Mobile’s CMI is used, the performance of the other two networks may be significantly reduced, affecting user experience.

What is the actual user experience?

According to user feedback, CMI lines have shown good network stability and speed in practical use, especially for users who need frequent data exchanges with mainland China. CMI lines provide a more convenient and stable service. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of CMI lines is an advantage that cannot be ignored, making it the preferred choice for many users, especially when on a limited budget.

How to Determine if a Server is Using the CMI Route:

To ascertain whether a server is utilizing the CMI (China Mobile International) route, you can inspect the VPS server’s routing path and the nodes it passes through. The specific methods include:

  • Use a route tracing tool to execute a route tracing command. Check if the server passes through IP nodes 223.120.x.x or 223.118.x.x, which are typically indicative of the CMI route of China Mobile (AS58453).
  • For China Unicom’s AS4837 route, it will pass through nodes 219.158.x.x (belonging to AS10099 or AS4837).
  • China Unicom’s AS9929 route will pass through nodes 218.105.x.x or 210.51.x.x (belonging to AS9929).
  • China Telecom’s regular routes usually pass through the 163 backbone network, going through 202.97.x.x nodes in provincial capitals, and exit China via the 202.97 nodes in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou (belonging to AS4134).
  • The CN2 GT route from China Telecom is characterized by a single hop at the international exit point in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou through a 59.43.x.x node before leaving the country.
  • China Telecom’s CN2 GIA route often passes through multiple 59.43.x.x nodes (belonging to AS4809).

To test for the CMI route, route tracing tools such as traceroute or besttrace can be used to test VPS routing information. If the route trace shows the IP segment as 223.120.x.x and the AS number is AS58453, then it can be confirmed that the server is using the CMI route of China Mobile.