Data Centre Overview

Network Overview

DC5 utilises Cisco 6500 series Routers, with Cisco 4948 and 2950T switches. The 6500s are loaded with top end supervisor engines and 10 gigabit line cards. Feeding the 6500s are uplinks from Telehouse North and Interxion.

We own the fibre interconnects to Telehouse and Interxion which exit the building underground via two different points in the building and terminate into separate ODF cabinets. Even if some misplaced road works were carried out in the vicinity of DC5, there is another set of links that will not be affected. These links are capable of running up to 480Gb if the need ever arose. In Interxion and Telehouse North we also use Cisco 6500s for our routing. We make use of several carriers to peer with from Inx and THN. Below you can see a diagram of our current network, but we are constantly looking for the best peering agreements with a large number of providers. The diagram below shows who we are working with now, but we have just completed a deal with Global Crossing for more bandwidth to
leave Linx.

All of our peers to N Layer & Linx are running on multiple 10Gig pipes, and we have 100s of peers, some of which we have had for in excess of 10 years.

To summarise, our core infrastructure is 10Gb, with 1Gb links to edge switches that provide 100Mbit ports for servers unless a customer requires a 1Gb port.

Security

DC5 utilises many forms of security, both physical and electronic. We have 360° CCTV coverage with auto tour and PIR activation. The external CCTV tours the perimeter of the building, but should anyone approach any predetermined point (gates, doors, points of entry) the CCTV will quit its tour and focus on the point of trigger. The CCTV also covers internal all points of entry. The system backs up its footage both locally and off site and is remotely accessible by data centre staff.

There is a perimeter alarm system, with beam detectors covering roof access, all doors, roller shutters and windows.

Entrance to the compound itself is via remotely operated gates for which only staff have access. Entrance to the site is only granted via data centre staff after the visitors identity has been verified via the CCTV.

We operate a door entry system inside the building which requires swipe card access to gain entry to parts of the building.

On top of all this the building is manned 24/7 365 days of the year by at least 2 members of staff, although there is usually 6 members of staff on site. We also make use of physical security: The building is completely plain, with no external signs of what is inside the building.

Power

DC5 has its own substation which is inside the secure inner compound. The substation is on its own 11KV feed from EDF and runs its dual transformers. The transformers are over-specified for their current usage.

The Transformers feed automated switchgear which distributes the power around the DC. It has auto failover and in the event that main power fails, it sends signals to our Generator Sets which fire up automatically and switches over. The switchgear has its own independant charge unit which in the event of power failure has enough capacity to fire the relays to switch to generator power. There is a shunt switch in the mid of the panel, which allows one half of the panel to feed the other in the event of single gen or transformer failure.

The generators are maintained on a regular basis and are run up for between 2 and 4 hours a month. The fuel supply is onsite and houses enough fuel to run the generator at full load for 10 days. We have contracts in place to top the diesel up within 4 hours where necessary.

All the racks are backed up by their own individual UPS. These UPS are fast enough to offer unnoticeable transfer between the mains supply and the generator supply. In the event of the generators failing or needing major works, we have an externally mounted cabinet to allow a 2nd generator to be added to either power system.

Summary

We are dedicated to bringing its customers a reliable and value for money service. The future of DC5 is already charted. The future plans include:

• A new transformer that will more than double our power capacity
• An additional generator
• 2 additional Cisco 6500s with VSS supervisor engines to link them together
• 15 new CRAC air con units from Stulz
• A number of co-location suites
• A second bank of power switchgear

All of this work can be seamlessly carried out without interruption to the existing infrastructure, and is already in progress. The completion of these works will double DC5’s capacity and facilitate larger customers having their own co-location facilities.