Environment
Precision-controlled air conditioning systems protect
and cool mission-critical servers and equipment in the
Data Center. The facility is controlled by
dual 30-Ton APC™/Airflow™ triple-compresser 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 Data Center staff. The entire Data Center is monitored, ensuring prompt
response and thorough coverage to fire or security
alarms. We supply all our Data Center customers with advanced firewall, encryption, intrusion
detection and other security measures. Nexus maintains a
full digital video surveillance system of the Data Center, with full on-site and off-site
recording.
Failsafe
Power Supply
Our Data Center currently has 800amps
3-Phase AC power currently available from PP&L™
(Pennsylvania Power & Electric). The facility is currently backed up and protected by a 160KVA Powerware™ 9135 facility-wide UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system. In a very rare case of utility outage, our Cummins™ 250KW deisel 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 500 gallon fuel tank, capable of running without refueling for approximately 80 hours.
Backup
Systems
Nexus automatically provides backup data services to all
shared hosting solutions clientele. Services are also
optionally available to all dedicated and co-location
clientele. Nexus 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/2000/2003
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 Data 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 Data 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 and alerting our staff paging system.
Hardware
The Data Center utilizes ONLY top name
brand hardware. The network is centered on a Cisco™ GSR12000 Border Routers, and Cisco 7206VXR Core Routers, connecting via Gigabit Ethernet to the Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ 4108GL & Cisco™ Catalyst™ primary switches. Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ managed switches comprise the power and stability of the network, operating at 100mbps switched ethernet speeds. Hardware utilized in the facility is comprised of name brands, including the following: Intel™, Asus™, Abit™, AMD™, 3Com™, Hewlett Packard™, Adaptec™, Cisco™, Tekram™, Kingston™, Micron™, Crucial™, IBM™, Maxtor™, Western-Digital™, Seagate™, Quantum™, Fujitsu™, Realtec™, Belkin™, & Lucent™. APC™, Tripp-Lite™, Compaq™, & 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™ & Panasonic™ CCTV cameras. Software
The Data 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™
NT/2000 operating systems, with Internet Information
Server™ Web Server. Microsoft™ Windows™ NT/2000
provides a system that simplifies database, application,
and visual effect programming. Nexus also supports
FreeBSD™, Mandrake™, Slackware™, Turbo Linux™,
& Debian Linux™.
Connectivity
The network is connected via Gigabit fiber connections to Verizon™ (Formerly Bell Atlantic PA), PPL Telcom™, (a sub-division of Pennsylvania Power & Electric™ - PPL™) and Commonwealth Telephone™ (CTSI™), NorthEast PA's 2nd largest Telco. Our transit is provided via Gigabit Ethernet (1000mbps) from Verio™ (http://www.verio.com), Global Crossing™ (http://www.glbx.com), Cogent™ (http://www.cogentco.com), and XO™ Communications (http://www.xo.com). 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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