Packets DownRange
Thunderstorms, seventy-degree weather, and snow. Welcome to Indiana weather. In this issue, we have some exciting events and topics. Several folks in Indiana are preparing for the 2025 Midwest Broadband Operators Meeting. This is May 14-15th. Interconnection & Data Center News•Zayo to acquire Crown Castle. •Microsoft Data Centers. This partnership will support an open architecture … Read more
A data center is the beating heart of modern businesses, housing critical IT infrastructure that powers applications, processes, and data. Behind this infrastructure lies a robust power system designed to ensure uninterrupted operation. Power systems in a data center are complex and include various types of power sources and components, each serving a unique purpose. … Read more
For anyone mounting gear in data center racks, these things are awesome! Save your fingers. No more cuts from sharp metal. Right now, Amazon has a Black Friday deal on a 100-pack. This will allow you to easily mount 25 pieces of gear in your cabinet. 100 Pack https://amzn.to/4fIA9Y7 If you have not tried these … Read more
Physical security in a data center is critical as it serves as the first line of defense against unauthorized access, vandalism, theft, and environmental threats. Here’s a deeper dive into the various layers and strategies involved in ensuring comprehensive physical security for a data center. 1. Strategic Location Selection A. Risk Assessment for LocationChoosing the … Read more
Anyone who works in a data center needs the following tools. Some are essential, and some make their life easier. We all want work to be easier, right? These are just five tools I think everyone who visits a data-center or other similar place should have. These are some tools you wish you had after … Read more
Originally Published in 2015So, I have a very heartwarming story today related to the WISP industry. So this started back in March. A client was having issues with a circuit. The transport provider had so many failures in troubleshooting the issue from the start. First, the tech from the transport company did not have the … Read more
As you become more familiar with Cisco Data Center terminology, you will encounter the term DCI. A DCI is a Data Center Interconnect. DCIs typically fall into three categories. Dark Fiber (CWDM/DWDM)MPLS Layer 2 VPN (VPWS/VPLS)MPLS Layer 3 VPN A DCI is basically a LAN extension over one of the above methods.
VXLAN, standing for Virtual Extensible LAN, offers many applications that cater to the evolving needs of modern networking paradigms. 1. Data Center Interconnectivity VXLAN plays a pivotal role in connecting geographically dispersed data centers. Encapsulating Layer 2 Ethernet frames within Layer 3 UDP packets facilitates seamless communication across disparate data center environments. This empowers businesses … Read more
Data centers, designed with robust materials to shield against electromagnetic interference and protect sensitive equipment, inadvertently hinder cell phone reception. Thick concrete walls, metal structures, and specialized insulation that secure the integrity of the data center’s environment act as barriers, impeding cellular signals from penetrating the facility. Importance of Cell Phone Connectivity: Bridging the Gap … Read more
Diverse power entries refer to providing multiple, independent electrical power sources to a data center. Rather than relying solely on a single power feed, this setup involves multiple entry points from distinct utility sources or grids. This redundancy acts as a shield, shielding the data center from unforeseen power failures, outages, or fluctuations. Mitigating Risks: … Read more
Managing the heat generated by servers and equipment is crucial for ensuring these centers operate at peak efficiency while maintaining reliability. Below are four methods used to cool. For many of you, this is old news. 1. Traditional Air Cooling The most common method involves using air conditioning units to maintain a consistent temperature. Hot … Read more
N+2 redundancy is a design principle implemented in data centers to guarantee high availability and minimize the risk of service disruptions due to equipment failures or maintenance activities. At its core, the concept ensures that more resources are available than required to sustain operations under normal circumstances. The ‘N’ in N+2 represents the necessary infrastructure … Read more