Packets Down Range #36: BlueBird, Cisco, HOUIX

Summer is finally here in Indiana. The leaves are green, the birds are chirping, and the Internet is humming along. Let’s get right into PDR #36. Interconnection & Data Center News•KC-IX/HOUIX expands into Fibertown. •Rich Miller shares his top 5 data center podcasts. ISP News•Emergent and Microsoft connect to deliver IoT. •Comcast unveils Gateway for … Read more

Packets Down Range #35: undersea cable, Indiana broadband, training topics

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

Understanding the Types of Power in a Data Center

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

Data Center physical security

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

Republish: Tales from the Data Center

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

What is a Data Center Interconnect

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.

Unveiling the Versatile Applications of VXLAN in Modern Networking

close up photo of network switch

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