Environment
Precision-controlled raised floor air conditioning systems protect and cool mission-critical servers and equipment in the Network Operations Center. The facility is controlled by multiple 30-Ton APC/Airflow, 20-Ton Liebert, & 20-Ton Data Aire dual-compressor 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. BurstNET 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 480V & 600amps 208V 3-Phase power currently available from PP&L (Pennsylvania Power & Electric). The facility is currently backed up and protected by 225KVA and 160KVA Powerware 9315/9395 facility-wide UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems, which feed PDI, MGE, & Liebert PDU (Power Distribution Unit) systems. In a very rare case of utility outage, our Cummins 250KW & Detroit Diesel 580KW deisel generators start automatically, taking over for the UPS systems and supplying all necessary power for the facility. The generators interface to the power grids thru Asco 7000 & RussElectric RTBD automatic transfer panels. The generators are powered by a 500 gallon fuel tank, capable of running without refueling for approximately 80 hours.
Backup Systems
MakoSolutions automatically provides backup data services to all shared hosting solutions clientele. Services are also optionally available to all dedicated and co-location clientele. MakoSolutions utilizes 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 can be 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. BurstNET offers remote cold boot hardware for dedicated server and co-location clients, with private, password protected, web based access.
Hardware
The Network Operations Center utilizes ONLY top name brand hardware. The network is centered on Cisco 6500-series border/core routers and switches, connecting via Gigabit Ethernet (1000mbps) to the Cisco 6500-series aggregation switches. Hewlett Packard Procurve & Extreme Summit 24/48/4 managed distribution switches comprise the power and stability of the internal network, operating at 10/100/1000 mbps switched ethernet speeds. The network is protected from Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks via Top Layer Networks IPS 5500 series systems. Hardware utilized in the facility is comprised of name brands, including the following: Intel, Asus, Supermicro, AMD, Adaptec, Cisco, Kingston, Micron, Crucial, 3Ware, Maxtor, Abit, Western-Digital, Seagate, Hitachi, Dell, Realtec, & Belkin, APC, Tripp-Lite, Powerware, & Liebert. Facility monitoring is provided by a Geovision Digital Video System over Sony & Panasonic CCTV cameras.
Software
The Network Operations Center utilizes the Red Hat Linux operating system on the 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. The majority of remaining servers operate on the Microsoft Windows 2003 Server operating system, with Internet Information Server Web Server. Microsoft Windows 2003 Server provides a system that simplifies database, application, and visual effect programming. BurstNET also supports FreeBSD, CentOS, Fedora Linux, & Debian Linux.
Connectivity
The network is connected via Gigabit Ethernet handoff(s) (1000mbps) on redundant/dual-path OC48 (2048mbps) DWDM fiber-optic transport connections to XO Communications and Commonwealth Telephone (CTSI), a division of Frontier Communications, NorthEast PA's 2nd largest Telco. Verizon (Formerly Bell Atlantic PA) and PPL Telcom, (a sub-division of Pennsylvania Power & Electric - PPL) fiber is also available in the facility. XO Communications is currently scheduled deliver 2.5GBPS wavelength transport to the facility in 1ST QTR 2009. The network currently connects BurstNET POPs (Points of Presence) in Scranton & Philadelphia, with others to be completed shortly (NY/NJ). BurstNET transit is provided via multiple Gigabit Ethernet (1000mbps) tranit circuits from Global Crossing (http://www.gblx.com), Cogent Communications (http://www.cogentco.com), BTN/PCCW (http://www.btnaccess.com), & XO Communications (http://www.xo.com). For redundancy, BurstNET 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. BurstNET is currently negotiating with additional major backbone providers to open POPs in the BurstNET Scranton PA facility, with XO Communications being available already at this time. BurstNET is currently the only major data center/co-lo facility within 60-75 miles of the Tier-3 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA USA Metro Area.
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