data center

Today’s Data Center and Fiber-optics

, , ,

When it comes to a modern Data Center, fiber-optics is an integral part of the pieces that are needed for data center management. As data centers evolve, the demand increases for bandwidth and speed.  As a result, we see more and more fiber being deployed in data centers to connect the servers, switches, and storage. Here is an overview of the three types of fiber services we see requested most often, which include Direct Internet Access, Point to Point and Dark Fiber.

What’s the difference between the three of them?

Direct Internet Access-Referred to as “DIA”

  • Dedicated Internet Access-means that the specified amount of bandwidth sold has been carved out and dedicated solely for the customers use.
  • DIA service performs consistently day in and day out, and has guaranteed minimums and uptime that is connected to the server.
  • Service Level Agreement (SLA)- is a contract between a fiber provider and the end user that defines the level of service expected from the fiber provider.
    • If there are issues or down time with service the Carrier is held liable to get it fixed or credits can be applied

Point to Point

  • Point to Point allows for two locations to be connected by private fiber-optics to transmit data over a private secure link between each other.
  • For example, a Corporate Headquarters being connected to a data center to transfer data to be stored on their servers. Say this data is financial information that needs to be secured when being transferred.
  • Location A- 882 S. Matlack St. West Chester, PA (Headquarters)
  • Location B- 1500 Spring Garden, Philadelphia, PA (Data Center)
  • Bandwidth required 1 Gig on a 3-year contract

Dark Fiber in the Data Center

  • A dark fiber network or simply dark network is a privately operated optical fiber network that is run directly by its operator over dark fiber leased or purchased from another supplier.
  • The dark fiber is not lit – they have to purchase equipment to light the physical fiber line. Once lit then bandwidth can be transferred.
  • The customer manages that dark fiber themselves they are either purchasing it from a carrier or leasing it. It is very expensive to purchase dark fiber out right.

If you need more bandwidth for your data center, give us a call!

Related Posts