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The Importance of Redundancy

Sep 2, 2020

What is Internet Redundancy?

Internet redundancy is a method of determining available internet connectivity in case of path failure or unavailability. If a primary internet connection fails, the secondary takes over, ensuring your business stays up and running. 

Why is Internet Redundancy Important?

Without internet redundancy, it doesn’t take much for a disrupted network; it just needs a single point of failure. Can your business afford to be out for a few days, hours, or even seconds? During the time of an outage, financial losses and missed opportunities can occur, as well as possible tarnishing of a reputation. Your company can suffer from direct, indirect, and opportunity costs.

Different Ways to Achieve Internet Redundancy

Internet redundancy can be achieved by having service with separate internet providers, utilizing different transports and/or technology:

1. Multiple Transit Provider:

Calculate the best path to the requested internet destination with Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), commonly used for provider redundancy. 

2. Separate Transports:

Utilize two different transport solutions (fixed wireless, fiber), where the company can use the same internet service provider (ISP) for multiple services. 

3. Software Failover – SD-WAN:

Steer internet traffic on separate links through three different features of SD-WAN. 

  • DYNAMIC MULTI-PATH OPTIMIZATION (DMPO): Allow managed performance thresholds for different traffic types with dynamic path selection, ensuring critical applications and data transfers always use the best path based on the loss, latency and jitter. 
  • POLICY-BASED ROUTING (PBR): Enable administrators to assign traffic to a virtual private network (VPN) based on criteria such as traffic protocol, source, destination or application. 
  • DUAL ACTIVE VPN UPLINKS: Have multiple VPN tunnels simultaneously active, where traffic can be load balanced across tunnels to make optimal available bandwidth use.

4. Hardware Failover:

Eliminate network outages with high availability configurations. Remediate network issues that could be potentially harmful to your network through using different pieces of hardware.

Common Internet Redundancy Implementation Mistakes

Service Does Not Fit Their Business Needs:

Many businesses desiring a backup network connection seek cheaper and less robust options than their primary one. If the primary connection fails, the secondary connection will not be able to sufficiently support the network demand. In the event of significant network downtime, will your business be able to operate efficiently?

Service is Not Truly Redundant:

Some businesses have their primary and secondary service traverses the same path. In the event of a path failure, the primary and secondary internet service becomes unavailable

About 123NET 

123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others. 

OUR MISSION:

BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES & BUSINESS THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET. 

The Benefits of Internet Exchange Points  

Jul 20, 2020

An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) acts as a virtual intersection where multiple networks interconnect and bilaterally exchange traffic, known as peering. Instead of going through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to access a website, organizations and businesses have a direct connection without going through the middleman. 

At times, an IXP is similar to a metro airport with the internet having regionally located hubs that assist with the delivery of data and information. The Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) serves as a hub for traveling passengers while the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX) acts as a crucial hub for delivering information and data. Instead of airline companies centrally gathering at airports to exchange passengers, ISPs peer together at IXPs to transfer mass amounts of data. 

IXPs boast many benefits to members and those associated with them such as:  

1. REDUCING COSTS

Normally, traffic is exchanged freely between members of an internet exchange. By having direct interconnection, traffic stays local, instead of routing from one service provider to another. Thus, reducing latency and costs via an ISP’s upstream provider. Depending on overall traffic, upstream ISPs would be charging per megabit for content transferred which can be costly and add up over time.  

2. REDUCING LATENCY

Network latency, the time it takes for data to go from the source to the destination, is measured in milliseconds. By peering locally at an IXP, members shorten their path to internet destinations hosted behind other IXP member networks, reducing latency, improving round-trip time and overall costs. 

3. STRENGTHEN LOCAL INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

Academic institutions, content providers, carriers and businesses benefit by exchanging traffic locally versus transiting traffic to their ISP.  

Internet Exchange Members can be any organization or business that has an autonomous system number (ASN) and advertises IP addresses using the border gateway protocol (BGP). Many times, content providers peer with ISPs to get their content in the hands of the customers as well as peering with other content providers at IXPs. 

The DET-iX was founded in 2014 with five members. As of May 2020, it has grown to 48 members and continues to rise to new heights. It is one of the largest not-for-profit internet exchange points in the world. DET-iX connects Michigan communities and businesses, allowing members to pass direct traffic freely. 

ABOUT DET-IX    
The Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX) is a not-for-profit Regional Internet Exchange Point (IXP) with a switching fabric expanding throughout Southfield, Michigan. Membership and ports are free. The collaboration of carriers, ISPs, Content Providers, and Enterprise Businesses connected to DET-IX allow for traffic to be exchanged freely, rather than paying to make the connection. This not only reduces the cost of exchanging traffic but provides localization of traffic for the 4.5 million inhabitants of the Detroit metro area. For more information, visit www.detroitix.com.    

ABOUT 123NET  
123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others.  

OUR MISSION: BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESS THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET.  

BIG CITY Bandwidth: 123NET Helps Increase Carrier Connectivity in Port Huron, Michigan

Jul 8, 2020

SOUTHFIELD, MI., July 8, 2020 – 123NET, Inc. (123NET), a Michigan data center and network services provider, is planning to turn up five dark fiber small cell sites in Port Huron with a large national carrier over a 10-year-period. This will let the carrier expand its wireless network through their own robust cellular connectivity that can be customized to meet their needs.

These small fiber cell sites will operate on 123NET’s Dark Fiber backbone within Port Huron, which has reached over 1,500 lit buildings across the State of Michigan. These installations will connect directly from the small cells to a central office via several fibers.

123NET Carrier Relations Manager Bob Evenson said this is a fantastic way to help out our carrier partners and increase connectivity for Port Huron.

“It’s really great to see how 123NET continues to help our carrier partners on both the cell backhaul and wireline side of our business. In this case, we have a larger tier 1 wireless provider looking to connect their small cell sites in Port Huron for the next 10 years and beyond,” Evenson said.

This dark fiber network backbone will help make Port Huron one of the strongest connected communities in Michigan and provide bandwidth speeds comparable to other large cities across the USA.

The turn-up of these small fiber cell sites will occur in the fall of 2020. 123NET looks forward in partnering with carriers to further connect Michigan communities and businesses.

ABOUT 123NET

 123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others.

OUR MISSION: 

BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESS THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET.

ABOUT DET-iX 

The Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX) is a not-for-profit Regional Internet Exchange Point (IXP) with a switching fabric expanding throughout Michigan. Membership and ports are free. The collaboration of carriers, ISP’s, content providers and enterprise businesses connected to DET-IX allows for traffic to be exchanged freely, rather than paying upstream service providers for the connection and traffic. For more information, visit www.detroitix.com.

DET-iX Reaches New Heights – 200Gbps Milestone

May 28, 2020

SOUTHFIELD, MI., May 28, 2020 – Earlier this month, the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX) soars to new heights by surpassing another milestone by reaching over 200Gbps. This news comes one month after achieving 150Gbps.  

The DET-iX was founded in 2014 with nine members. As of May 2020, it has grown to 48 members and continues to rise to new heights. It is one of the largest not-for-profit internet exchange points in the world. DET-iX connects Michigan communities and businesses, allowing members to pass direct traffic freely.

“The DET-iX like other internet exchanges is a simple topology. However, we have an advantage of a 123NET 4,500-mile metro fiber network. This combination allows easy access for members to extend connectivity from the DET-iX to the end users.  For many members, over 60% of their total internet traffic is flowing through the DET-iX for free. ”

Ryan Duda, DET-iX Founder & 123NET CTO 

With new members joining every month, the DET-iX is consistently pushing bandwidth boundaries and connecting new networks. Current members range from local communities to Fortune 500 companies that include automotive, education, telecommunication partners and streaming providers. 

ABOUT DET-iX 

The Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX) is a not-for-profit Regional Internet Exchange Point (IXP) with a switching fabric expanding throughout Michigan. Membership and ports are free. The collaboration of carriers, ISP’s, content providers and enterprise businesses connected to DET-IX allows for traffic to be exchanged freely, rather than paying upstream service providers for the connection and traffic. For more information, visit www.detroitix.com.

ABOUT 123NET

123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others.

OUR MISSION:

BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESS THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET.

123NET Reaches the 1,500th Fiber Lit Commercial Building Milestone

May 14, 2020

SOUTHFIELD, MI., May 14, 2020 – Earlier this week, 123NET, Inc. (123NET) marked a milestone by installing high-speed fiber into more than 1,500 commercial buildings. This achievement comes less than one year after the company announced that it had hit the 1000 lit commercial building milestone back in 2019.

“The fiber team here at 123NET has grown substantially over the years and now includes over 100 team members. Each and every one of them has helped us achieve this awesome milestone. We couldn’t be happier to be able to extend our fiber network into 1,500 buildings.”

Chuck Irvin,123NET Director of Network Development

Currently, 123NET has nine in-house fiber crews. They work diligently building fiber infrastructure throughout Michigan, along with in-house permitting and fiber design departments, which all contribute to the completion of fiber projects. Irvin is already looking to the future for the company’s next breakthrough benchmark. “Milestones are great to celebrate, but we won’t revel in it for too long,” Irvin said. “We are already looking forward to the day we reach 2,000 lit buildings!”

123NET’s network spans across the state of Michigan connecting local communities and businesses alike with fiber engineered to be symmetrical, dedicated and scalable to fit all company bandwidth needs. The company continues to focus on providing businesses high-speed, reliable network connectivity as it builds toward its next goal.

ABOUT 123NET

123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with an industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others.

OUR MISSION:

BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESS THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET.

123NET Expands Fixed Wireless Coverage to Brighton

Mar 19, 2020

SOUTHFIELD, MI., Thursday, March 19, 2020 – 123.Net Inc. (123NET) is expanding network coverage with a new fixed wireless Point of Presence (PoP) site in Brighton. Area businesses can benefit from network connectivity at gigabit speed. The fixed wireless platform provides diverse transport options, backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA), setting it apart from best effort phone and cable companies.

Fixed wireless provides a high-speed carrier-grade symmetrical connection, capable of supporting Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), SD-WAN, Voice and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) within 7 to 14 days.

“Building a network to connect underserved communities and businesses has always been a passion of mine. Furthermore, demonstrating that critical network communication can be delivered with a fixed wireless product is particularly rewarding because we can turn up the service so quickly.”

Justin Lampman, 123NET Network Operations Director

123NET remains dedicated to expanding its existing network of 1500+ fiber lit buildings and 55+ Fixed Wireless PoP sites with the latest, most reliable, and secure technologies available. 123NET’s network also includes 4,000+ route miles of proprietary fiber, four Tier 3 data centers, and is home to the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX).

OUR MISSION: BUILDING NETWORK, TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES & BUSINESSES THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET!