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. Visitors and clientele
are only allowed on-site if escorted by Network Operations Center staff.
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. HyperDot
maintains a full digital video surveillance system of the Network
Operations Center, with full on-site and off-site recording.
Failsafe Power Supply
Our Network Operations Center currently has 800amps 3-Phase AC power
currently available from PP&L™ (Pennsylvania Power & Electric). The
facility is backed up and protected by UPS (Uninterruptible Power
Supply) systems on each individual rack. In a very rare case of utility
outage, our Cummins™ 250KW diesel 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. HyperDot has plans for facility-wide enterprise
UPS coverage for implementation in 2002.
Backup Systems
HyperDot automatically provides backup data services to all shared
hosting solutions clientele. Services are also optionally available to
all dedicated and co-location clientele. HyperDot 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 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 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. 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 audible alarms, LAN
messages, and alerting our staff paging system. HyperDot offers remote
cold boot hardware for dedicated server and co-location clients, with
private, password protected, web based access.
Hardware
The Network Operations Center utilizes ONLY top name brand hardware. The
facility is centered on a Cisco™ 7206VXR Router, with the newest
Processor (CPE400), connecting via Gigabit Ethernet to the Hewlett
Packard™ Procurve™ 4108GL primary switch. Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™
managed switches comprise the power and stability of the network,
operating at 100mbps switched Ethernet speeds. An additional Cisco™
7206VXR (NPE300) router is on hand, as a fail-safe for the primary
router. A Cisco™ 12008 Core Router is on order for installation in April
2002. Hardware utilized in the facility is comprised of the following
brands: Intel™, Asus™, Abit™, AMD™, 3Com™, Hewlett Packard™, Adaptec™,
Cisco™, Tekram™, Kingston™, Micron™, Crucial™, IBM™, Maxtor™,
Western-Digital™, Seagate™, Quantum™, Fujitsu™, Datatel™, 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™ CCTV cameras.
Software
The Network Operations 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. HyperDot also supports
FreeBSD™, Mandrake™, Slackware™, Turbo Linux™, & Debian Linux™.
Connectivity
The Network Operations Center is connected via OC192 fiber connections
to Verizon™ (Formerly Bell Atlantic PA) & Commonwealth Telephone (CTSI),
NorthEast PA's 2nd largest Telco. HyperDot utilizes redundant DS3
(45mbps) connections thru Sprint™ (http://www.sprint.com), MCI/WorldCom™
(http://www.worldcom.com), and AT&T™ (http://www.att.com). An additional
OC3 (155mbps) is scheduled for install in April 2002 from yet
unannounced carrier(s). The Sprint & AT&T™ connections are scheduled for
upgrade to OC3 (155mbps) capacity in May 2002 & July 2002 respectively.
After this, HyperDot will then be peering (sharing capacity) with major
backbones, to exchange connectivity. For redundancy, HyperDot is
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. HyperDot is currently contracting with PPL Telcom™, a
sub-division of Pennsylvania Power & Electric™ (PPL™), to install
additional fiber lines (2GBPS+) to the Network Operations Center ™ building in July 2002.
Network Operations Center™ is currently negotiating with major backbone providers to open POPs (Points of Presence) in the
HyperDot Scranton PA facility. This
will increase speeds tremendously due to on-site peering arrangements.
Such would allow fiber connections directly to major US peering
points/hubs like MAE-EAST, MAE-NYC (8th Avenue), & Halsey Street,
avoiding RBOC/CLEC Telco loops. HyperDot is currently the only major
data center/co-lo facility within 60-75 miles of the Tier-3
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA USA Metro Area.
