Network Information:

Precision-controlled air conditioning systems protect and cool mission-critical servers and equipment in the Network Operations Center (NOC). The facility is controlled by York™ quad-compressor/dual-blower redundant systems. These systems provide a virtually dust-free and particle-free computing environment, with temperature, humidity, and air-quality regulation.

security

Restricted access to the Network Operations Center is monitored by qualified personnel 24 hours a day, every day. Visitors and clientele are only allowed on-site if escorted by Network Operations Center staff. The entire Network Operations Center is monitored, ensuring prompt response and thorough coverage to fire or security alarms. We supply all our Network Operations Center customers with advanced firewall, encryption, intrusion detection and other security measures. Our NOC maintains a full digital video surveillance system of the Network Operations Center, with full on-site and off-site recording.

failsafe power supply

Our Network Operations Center currently has 800amps 3-Phase AC power currently available from IPL™ (Indianapolis Power & Light). The facility is backed up and protected by UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems on each individual rack. In a very rare case of utility outage, our Cummins™ 250KW diesel generator starts automatically, taking over for the UPS systems and supplying all necessary power for the facility. The generator interfaces to the power grid thru a Cutler-Hammer™ automatic transfer panel. The generator is powered by a 50 gallon fuel tank, capable of running without refueling for approximately 40 hours. We do have plans for facility-wide enterprise UPS coverage for implementation in 2004.

backup systems

We automatically provide backup data services to all shared hosting servers. Services are also optionally available to all dedicated and co-location clientele. We utilize backup hard drives on each individual server to store backups. Linux systems store zipped copies of server system files and client data files, for simple server rebuilding. Windows™ NT/2000 servers store full image backups (identical copy of operating system and data at time of backup), for full system restoration. Off-server and off-site backup services are available as well.

24x7x365 monitoring

The Network Operations Center uses industry-standard SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and provides round-the-clock monitoring of all hardware, including routers, switches, UPS systems, and servers. The Network Operations Center also monitors power, environmental factors (such as temperature and humidity), generator status, and network connectivity. All critical services/ports are monitored, including FTP, HTTP, SMTP, HTTPS, SSH, TELNET, and POP3. We provide network monitoring of the Local Area Network, Internet connectivity (all routers, switches, and wiring), and the Internet backbone via MRTG. Our close and constant communication with our upstream backbone providers ensures that our customers have constant access to high-performance Internet connections. Failure on any monitoring service results in audible alarms, LAN messages, and alerting our staff paging system.

hardware

The Network Operations Center utilizes only top name brand hardware. The facility is centered on a Cisco™ 7206VXR Router, with the newest Processor (CPE400), connecting via Gigabit Ethernet to the Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ 4108GL primary switch. Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ 4000M, 2524M, 2424M managed switches comprise the power and stability of the network, operating at 100mbps switched ethernet speeds. An additional Cisco™ 7200 series router is currently planned for install 4th quarter 2001, as a fail-safe for the primary router. Servers utilize Intel™/Asus™/Abit™/SuperMicro™ motherboards, Intel™ Processors, 3Com™/Intel™ network cards, Adaptec™/Tekram™ SCSI controller cards, name brand PC-100/133 SDRAM, & IBM™/Maxtor™/Western-Digital™/Seagate™ hard drives. APC™, Tripp-Lite™ & Liebert™ UPS Systems provide the power backups, along with a Cummins™ generator system. Facility monitoring is provided by a Panasonic™ WD-500 Digital Video System over Sony™ CCTV cameras.

software

The Network Operations Center utilizes the Red Hat™ Linux operating system on all majority of servers present. Red Hat™ Linux is a highly configurable system, and well known for speed and stability. Red Hat™ Linux servers have been documented to remain operating for up to one year at a time without even requiring a reboot. The Apache™ Web Server nicely compliments the Red Hat™ Linux Operating System.

We Also use Windows 2000 servers running Exchange 5.5 and Exchange 2000 servers to provide email accounts.

connectivity

The Network Operations Center is connected via a OC192 fiber connection to Verizon™ (Formerly Bell Atlantic). We utilize redundant DS3 (45mbps) connections thru Sprint™ (http://www.sprint.com) and AT&T™ (http://www.att.com). A third DS3, from MCI/UUNet/Worldcom™, is scheduled for install very soon. Our OC-3 connections are through UUNet, Globix, and Verizon. The Sprint connection is scheduled for upgrade to OC3 (155mbps) connectivity during the 2nd Quarter 2002. After this, our NOC will be peering (sharing capacity) with major backbones, to exchange connectivity. For redundancy, our NOC is currently running BGP4 (border gateway routing protocol) to maintain the speed and uptime. If one backbone line goes down, it will balance the load to the other(s). If one line gets congested, it will load balance the traffic.