May 24, 2018
Data center location should always be a top priority for customers. Choosing a data center in an optimal location not only provides immediate advantages, it also prevents major headaches down the road. That is why 123Net carefully handpicked an ideal environment for each of its four Michigan data centers.
Network Speed
While people may think that bandwidth is the only factor determining speed, that is not the case. The physical distance from a data center to an application can significantly affect network latency. For this reason, there has been a huge push by financial companies to move their servers closer to the New York Stock Exchange. These companies are gaining a clear edge over the competition due to the speed advantage lower network latency provides. While it could be less expensive to collocate further away, it is often not worth sacrificing speed.
Natural Disasters
Businesses that collocate in areas prone to natural disasters are playing with fire. Events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes can cause critical power outages, leading to crippling downtime. If the best data center option happens to be in a disaster-prone area, consider selecting a backup data center at a safer location, preferably on a different power grid.
Accessibility
Data center space should be in an area that is comfortable to reach. Personnel will need to travel to the data center regularly to make upgrades and service equipment. If a data center is out of driving distance, consider the logistics of transporting personnel and equipment through the air.
Connections
Businesses can take advantage of data center connectivity by creating multiple channels that will keep data moving freely despite outages. This makes data centers in well-connected areas safer and more reliable. It also gives businesses more room for growth, as they can easily make plenty of connections within the data center itself.
123Net’s three Southfield data center facilities have a superior location. They have access to more than 20 carriers, are in low-risk southeastern Michigan and close to thousands of Metro Detroit businesses. 123Net also has secure, easily accessible data center space in Grand Rapids that makes for premier primary or backup colocation space. Learn more about the strategic advantages you can gain from data center location by going to https://www.123.net/data-center/ or taking a tour at a 123Net data center today.
May 22, 2018
123Net is an Internet service provider (ISP) built on delivering reliable connections at high speeds. The organization provides enterprise data center, network and voice solutions for local Michigan businesses.
Every business is unique, and the same rule applies for ISPs. Whether a business is looking to upgrade its current internet service or establish a new connection, choosing a well-suited internet service provider is always important. Based on a business’s specific needs, here are a few factors that should always be considered:
Bandwidth
Bandwidth can play a major role in the speed of an internet connection. It is the minimum capacity between the user and application server, usually measured in megabits per second, or Mbps. Determining the amount of bandwidth required to run business-critical applications is crucial. It helps businesses find Internet service providers with the ability to meet current requirements and capacity to scale up for projected growth.
Support
The best internet service providers share one common trait: outstanding customer service. Customers will need to work closely with support to ensure that their business’s specific needs are met. Effective support teams are friendly, informative and timely.
It is also important to consider how accessible support will be during unexpected situations, such as outages and other problems. Investigating which forms of contact are accepted (phone calls, emails, trouble tickets, etc.) and if 24/7 support is included can help set businesses up for success.
Failover
Staying constantly connected to the Internet is more important than ever for businesses, especially when only a few seconds of downtime can now lead to thousands of dollars lost. For businesses where Internet outages are devastating, it’s best to find an ISP with redundant failover options available. Failover helps businesses stay connected primary Internet connections are lost. For example, fixed wireless is commonly used as a failover option for high-speed fiber Internet. If there is a problem with a fiber connection, fixed wireless will seamlessly take over.
Bundling
If a business has multiple needs to fulfill, bundling services together can help save money and ease operations. ISPs often incentivize bundling with money-saving discounts to attract customers. Consolidating services can also simplify billing and support.
123Net has the capacity to deploy redundant terabit-speed connections and deliver over 1MW of power, making it an attractive option for businesses of any size. The organization is also home to the Detroit Internet Exchange, one of the world’s 40 largest peering hubs.
123Net is a premier business ISP, backed by world-class 24/7 support. 123Net can also bundle high-speed fiber, voice, fixed wireless, and data center solutions, making it a simple, efficient option for your telecommunications needs. Visit https://www.123.net/ for more details.
Jan 8, 2018
123Net’s data centers facilitate your need to be better connected. Cross connects allow you to reduce access costs to get to the carrier of your choosing. You can save money and improve the connectivity of your network.
What are Cross Connects?
It is a physical cable that connects two different networks within a data center. Cross connects can be used to create a more diverse, robust system of networks. Here are the top three reasons why cross connects are great:
Lower Latency
A direct connection means no provider will stand between your network and the carrier network to which you are connecting. Cross connects avoid the pubic Internet because they are through private point-to-point connections within a data center.
Convenience
With a cross connect you will be able to connect to any carrier resides inside the specific data center. This eliminates the need to find other network points to connect to carriers that often times require network builds that take time and add costs.
Adds Flexibility
Adding multiple internet connections to your network can help you take advantage of different carriers. With cross connects you can select internet providers based on price, reliability, or connectivity.
Cross connects enable you to establish direct connectivity with other carriers. Services such as dark fiber, wavelength, MPLS, or other point to point services are available with a single cross connect. Network cross connects to other carriers can save money, improve reliability, and add versatility to your network.
123Net has four Tier 3 carrier neutral data centers with access to over 20 carriers. Learn how you can take advantage of this diverse variety of networks by scheduling a data center tour with 123Net today.
Go to https://www.123.net/data-center/
Jan 2, 2018
Inside a data center, 123Net believes your choice of carrier should not be limited to the data center owner. That is why we make it as easy as possible for new carriers to build into our data centers. Opening the doors to more carriers greatly benefits businesses looking for more robust, diverse networks.
What Does Carrier Neutral Mean?
Having more options is a good thing. A carrier neutral data center, often referred to as a carrier hotel, is a facility that offers its customers the ability to purchase connectivity from any carrier in the building. Since these facilities are independent of providers, customers are open to many more carrier options. There are several factors that make carrier neutral facilities more desirable than their carrier-affiliated counterparts:
Diversity
Keeping your network running 24/7 is critical. Having carrier diversity (multiple carriers connected to your network) gives carrier hotels a major advantage over facilities that only offer a single provider. Businesses that use multiple carriers have a backup in place when a single carrier experiences an outage.
Cost-Effective
Using a carrier neutral facility can naturally lower the price of services through competition. When there are fewer options to choose from, customers are more likely to settle for higher prices. Moving to a new data center can be a costly and time-consuming process.
Internet Exchange Connectivity
Carrier neutral data centers can also host internet exchanges. Internet exchanges allow enterprise, service provider, and carrier networks to connect to one another — lowering latency, network hops and costs.
123Net has four, Tier 3, carrier neutral data center facilities. 123Net also hosts the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-IX), a not-for-profit regional exchange point in Michigan. See if your business is a good fit for 123Net’s carrier hotels by setting up a tour today. Visit us at https://www.123.net/data-center/
