| The
Network
Environment
Precision-controlled air conditioning systems protect and
cool mission-critical servers and equipment in the Network
Operations Center. The facility is controlled by York™
quad-compresser/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. 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.
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.
Connectivity
The Network Operations Center is connected via a OC192
fiber connection to Verizon (Formerly Bell Atlantic PA).
We utilize redundant DS3 (45mbps) connections thru Sprint
and AT&T. A third DS3, thru Cable&Wireless,
MCI/UUNet, or Global Crossing is scheduled for install in
the 4th Quarter 2001. The Sprint connection is scheduled
for upgrade to OC3 (155mbps) connectivity during the 1st
Quarter 2002. After this, we will then be peering (sharing
capacity) with major backbones, to exchange connectivity.
For redundancy, we are 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.
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